If you use the Internet, you are probably familiar with emoticons: facial expressions displayed using a combination of typographic figures,e.g., :-) for a smile. Asian countries have their own set of emoticons; in these (which are viewed without having to turn one's head), there are different smiling facial figures for a man smiling (^_^) and a woman smiling (^ . ^), since in Japan, women are not supposed to exhibit a wide, uninhibited smile. This difference between the men's and women's emoticons in Japan is due to a(n)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference between the men's and women's emoticons in Japan is due to a display rule – a cultural norm for how emotions should be expressed in public. In Japan, women are expected to exhibit a more subdued, modest smile, while men are allowed to smile more openly. This is reflected in the emoticons used in online communication.

If You Use the Internet, You Are Probably Familiar with Emoticons