Even the smileys are different…

Some of our work is online. We also work on online platforms (multiple) where people can come with their life questions. 100% anonymous. We don’t know who they are, where they come from, nothing. This also allows them to freely say everything (!) that they experience, and they are in a safer environment.

It can never come back to them “through the grapevine” and that gives special freedom. Because of the freedom we give them, and that they feel, topics come up that you would otherwise NEVER hear… sex (desired or unwanted…), relationships, God, bullying, suicidal thoughts, depression with all its manifestations, cultural problems they face, you name it, and we will see it.

But… with the freedom we give them, and the freedom they also feel online, comes challenges…. Do you know these pictures?

With those pictures, you can respond to what someone “says” online… but here it comes… what do these pictures mean?

Depending on the culture they come from, it can mean the following:

• Sympathy.
• Cute.
• Hug.
• Etc etc etc…

And so it makes quite a difference what you “say” with a response like that. You may think you are saying “Sympathy”, but the other person receives “Cute” and will not understand your reaction at all…

Another one?

• Beautiful!
• Nice.
• I love you.
• I am touched by your message.
• Etc etc etc…

One of the challenges in our work… the language seems to be the same (English, Dutch, Russian, Polish), but depending on which country and which culture they come from, smileys work differently… and so do some words. It remains a challenge…every single day.