First up, I really thought hard about replying to this thread and I hope my comment will be read in the interests of putting forward an alternate viewpoint.
If I have ever offended or irritated you by my use of ! or or or x or * or ~~~~, please know it has never been my intention.
That said, at the very real risk of being a possible lone voice, I am going to state that personally, I LOVE using exclamation marks, emoticons etc in my reply to posts. And to add shock to horror, I am guilty as charged of sometimes using multiple when I make a comment and I'm particularly excited or annoyed about something!!! (<--- cheekily inserted.)
After reading the posts on this thread, I'm being truthful when I say I'm now feeling sad. It actually HURTS me to realise that when I reply to or have responded to posts in the past, that other members have been more than likely interpreting my honest, heartfelt replies as a negative reflection of me. (<---- That one was inserted because I actually am feeling this way after reading some of the comments.)
It saddens me even more to read *other* people's response to this thread where it comes across, at least to my mind, that they are apologising and/or second guessing how they, themselves, reply to other people because they also use or have used emoticons or exclamation marks. (Double with an added <sniff> for good measure.)
I can't speak for others and their use of these types of expression, I can only speak for myself. The thing is, I type exactly as I speak. Honestly! I wear my heart on my sleeve and my speaking voice naturally has a *lot* of inflections. People who have met me in person will verify this.
My possible over-use of these type marks (in some people's opinion, clearly not my own) are not included because I am unable to differentiate between a full-stop and an exclamation mark. (In other words, I know how to write rooly-good-but when required.)
They are not there because I think my comment is better than anyone else.
They are not there because I'm deliberately trying to annoy anyone. Of course not!!! (<--- That one was added, because deep down, I figure if I'm going to be a voice of sole dissent, I may as well go down in exclamatory flames, baby!!!!! <chuckle!>)
and and ! and * and x and ~ are there and included in my replies because I personally see them as a way of adding in extra glimpses of quirky ol' me, over and above what I feel A - Z can provide.
One of the things I love about the YLF is the inclusive nature of the community.
I have absolutely never had any intention of deliberately trying to irritate or cause offence which makes me think I need to drastically reduce or stop using any form of ! or :-). The thing is, I also have no desire to feel censured or unfairly judged for being and expressing who I am. That's not fair either and dare I say it, a little hurtful.
