interesting, Grishka, how would you know someone elses intentions unless you met them in person, how can YOU know what their intentions are, are you the pope with a hot line to the almighty?

Good question, GSS.

Neither the pope nor I are infallible in that respect, not even when meeting someone in person, but often there are clear indications from the context, clearer in fact than any emoticons. I agree with you that oral communication is often more precise (though not always precise enough either), and that writers should strive to compensate for that by giving sufficient hints.

On the other hand, readers should read carefully and make sure they understand a message correctly - ask if necessary - before engaging in a flame war. Here seems to be the more serious shortcoming at Mudcat BS and elsewhere.