Emojis - is there a way to add one for empathy?

[QuestJan]

I started this in response to the thread about chronic pain, but I have wished for it several times previously. I did not know how to make this request otherwise.

Sometimes I just want the speaker to know that they are heard and no longer alone in their physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. We can current send them like, agree, funny, winner, informative, friendly, useful, optimistic, and creative. Could we add 'empathy'? Or even better as my youngest Millenials say it, "I feel you"

 

[tree]

I think the closest currently available would be
the Heart.

 

[Crossbreed]

A "Hug" emoji might work (if available).

 

[Alexej]

(if available).

you can always copy and paste in an emoji

 

[Crossbreed]

you can always copy and paste in an emoji

GIFs work here, but sadly, most emojis do not.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

The heart for "friendly" is what I usually use when I want to say I feel their pain, or I use the rainbow for "optimistic" when I want to give someone hope.

 

[Suzette]

I use the heart too. But the emojis seldom match my real intentions. Sometimes I want to give others the rainbow just because rainbows are pretty and I want to brighten their day.
<-- I am not even sure I know what this guy means. LOL

 

[tree]

Face with rolling eyes is an emoji used to express disbelief, annoyance, impatience, boredom, and disdain.
It can also be used to indicate sarcasm or irony.
It can be playful, or mocking....

 

[Varzar]

I know some AS people are not fond of touch/hugs/anything like that. Does that discomfort extend to the virtual world? curious.

I usually just use the heart for empathy as well.

 

[QuestJan]

you can always copy and paste in an emoji

I meant in the bar under the Quote / Reply (i.e. like, agree, funny, winner, informative, friendly, useful, optimistic, or creative). A hug would be perfect (thx, @Crossbreed).

Can they still be added?

 

[Crossbreed]

Can they still be added?

That is up to the admin (and the limitations of the forum software).

 

[QuestJan]

That is up to the admin (and the limitations of the forum software).

Is there a way to make a request?

 

[Crossbreed]

Is there a way to make a request?

I'm not on the staff; I don't know.

 

[unperson]

((( )))

 

[Alexej]

I'm not on the staff; I don't know.

Tree is on the staff and has interacted with this thread so I expect the staff are aware. We did have another thread a while ago on this topic, so the issue does come up from time to time.

 

[Crossbreed]

@phantom, your image comes up as a red X for me and "Reply*" gives me an error message.

*edit: To an apparently deleted post #16.

 

[watersprite]

Since there isn’t anytning labeled as empathy or sympathy, I use the heart as though it has those words in addition to friendly. Those emotions are part and parcel of friendliness so it’s not illogical to do so.
I’ve often wished that the cup with beverage was on the llittle menu, as to me it is a good representation of sympathy &/or empathy. But that’s my subjective reaponse.

 

[tree]

@Forest Cat

In my opinion, the Heart/Friendly rating means
that the person giving the rating evaluates the
content of the post as expressing friendly
thoughts, describing a situation.

The Rainbow/Optimistic rating indicates the idea
that the content of the post is positive/Optimistic.