Omg. you are too funny! They are just smilie faces and nothing more. Its how each individual person interoperates them that can be an issue. But your interoperation may not be how the poster intended it.
I can remember a thread where several people gave this person a really really hard time because of the use of her smiles. It was really unnecessary. Which proves my point. She added smilies and they saw
RED. and totally misinterpreted her meaning.
I like my smilies and yes I am on of those people who will post them in a sarcastic and sort of smart a** manner. I have no shame and will not make any excuses for it. But I also use them if I think it will make someone laugh or even feel better.
I do kind of like some of your interpretation of them and will keep those in mind next time I want to let someone know that I have the mods wrapped around my little finger or want to piss someone off !!
"did I piss you off enough?"
"only you know what I really mean"
"Mods will never delete this post wench"
"mods are on my side so don't think of reporting me",