Nigel I was speaking generically or broadly, not specifically at your comment. You have read it that way unfortunately and thats not what I meant, As far as "emoticons, and their use in electronic communications " I don't think such a subject exists . Certainly it wasn't in any morse code that I learnt nor Uni courses.Again, I suggest you try reading about -emoticons, and their use in electronic communications but even without the smiley there was nothing at all rude in what I posted.