I find myself using emoticons instead of words when I basically have nothing to say, either because I'm bored of playing with my phone and want to find a way to end the conversation, or when I just can't think of a way to respond to the last message but feel like it calls for some sort of response so I just send a or a or something else that has no real meaning.

When I get an emoticon sent to me, I feel like the person on the other end is doing the same thing, taking the easy way out rather than think of something to say.

maybe your English is a bit too hard for them..try talking in easy english

Yes, and on English-based chat programs as well. People just don't know what to say, and they're afraid you'll think you're ignoring them if they say nothing.

That's because they're  empty shells with no idea of how to start or even maintain a conversation.  Girls expect men to do an endless amount of work for them while they sit their and send cute emoticons.  You can usually tell they haven't gotten enough attention recently when they actually start the conversation with, guess what, an emoticon.   Well, find somebody more interesting.

.....no

Happened more than a few times during my "on the market" periods.  It was an easy indicator to ignore and look elsewhere.

=-O

   (It  lets you know i'm in a decent mood, without putting setting me  up for possible rejection)