1) Emoticons and internet lingo (lol, brb, lmao, etc.) do have a place in "professional communication". They aren't just for teenagers. This is good advice. I'

1) Emoticons and internet lingo (lol, brb, lmao, etc.) do have a place in "professional communication". They aren't just for teenagers. This is good advice. I've fallen foul of this problem on many an occasion and now liberally (but not excessively) use emoticons to communicate theme's and feelings as needed - it really does help :)