I'm confused. What is the etiquette with the X (kiss) at the end of an SMS or email? Do I put one? If not, am I being rude? If I receive one should I reply with one? I'm not much of a general kisser so it's a bit outside my comfort zone to sign off like that. And if I do, it feels wrong - a bit like cheating.

Is an X a friendly sign-off or a sign of overfriendliness? Has it become the norm? My wife sent an accidental X to our accountant followed by an apology when she realised.

I understand the need when it comes to family or even close friends. An X at the end of a sentence is a nice sign-off. An indication that you love them, miss them, appreciate them. But is it necessary with every message? An X for Mrs Smith the babysitter or an X for the hairdresser to thank them for a great job seems a bit much. Does Janette the cleaner really need to send an X when she asks us to buy more detergent? Could a message to a work colleague ending with an X be construed as more than just a friendly goodbye? There is definitely a flirty element to some of it.

My wife asked me to read a text message on her phone. The next thing I know I am immersed in a fantastic real-life soap opera. There are more twists and turns happening on that phone than an Olympic gymnast's training session.

There's more drama there than I have seen on Neighbours. I can't sleep if I don't know what has happened since the previous day's cliffhanger. Will Susie marry Dave despite her fears? Andrea said what about Julie's son? Will Rambo the dog survive the operation? Which boy will Monica choose? The bridesmaid's dress is what colour? OMG, Olivia is splitting up with WHOOOOOO?

Once I get past the living soap opera I am amazed at all the Xs. Every message finishes with one. And not always the one. Why the double X? Or a triple X? A triple X amounts to a snog at the very least. I get a bit jealous when I see my wife texting other blokes with Xs. Why is that necessary? The hairdresser, friends, the accountant. So I told her if there is any X-ing to be done - I want the f---ing X-ing to be with me.

A 2012 survey reported in Britain's Mail Online found more than half of office affairs start with flirting colleagues putting an X at the end of a text or an email.

WhatsYourPrice.com, a dating website, polled 1000 people and found 55 per cent of women and 60 per cent of men who had had a work affair admitted it had been sparked by Xs in messages. From now on I am going to stick to the smiley face.

Rob Harris is a freelance writer.