I agree
I use smileys frequently, but only the following:
;-) -not serious
:-P -jokingly taking the piss
:-o -fake shock
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 14:55, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

This
it's easier to use a smiley and risk looking like a bit of a knob for it instead of being misconstrued. It's one of the things I hate about email/online conversations, is that I often can't tell if I sound like a dick when in fact I was only joking.
(berk, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 14:58, Reply)

Yeah I use :) and :(

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:00, Reply)

8====o ( )x( )
Dutch Schteve and Monty
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:00, Reply)

Hahaha grim.

(berk, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:01, Reply)

I suggested "Now that's what I call a reverse Dutch Steamboat 17"
as an album title to my band. They seemed surprisingly keen.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:07, Reply)

Do it!

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:10, Reply)

"We're a much more depraved East 17"

( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 31 Jan 2011, 15:43, Reply)