EMOJI KILLS LOVE

Shy Brits use symbols to show how they feel

PEOPLE are using emojis to show their feelings because they are too shy to say “I love you”.

More than half of us text cute symbols to loved ones because we cannot bring ourselves to speak the three magic words.

We even find it difficult to write out the full phrase and prefer to use the love heart symbol or the heart eyes motif instead, according to a study.

Shockingly, Brits are happier telling their pets they love them than their parents with 39% of us saying the words to our animals every day.

Meanwhile, 12% of us tell our mums we love them daily. But underneath it all we are a nation of softies, with 44% showing affection to our loved ones every 24 hours.

Warming up the bed, saving the last chocolate in the box and even being quiet in the morning are all worth more than words. And the best way to show you care is to accept a lover’s imperfections – 47% of Brits say it means the most when flaws are forgotten. We are also careful about using the special words, with four in 10 believing that saying “I love you” too often makes it meaningless.

Ian Tweedale from Thorntons, who carried out the research, said: “It’s not about what’s under the Christmas tree but about who’s around it.

“Our Continental Journeys competition is helping families ‘Pass The Love On’ by bringing together loved ones during the holidays.

“We’re also proud to be passing the love on to the charity SSAFA, which supports our servicemen and women, veterans and their families.”