Does an exclamation mark automatically imply emphasis for you in this situation? Am I using it incorrectly?
For context:
I was talking to a guy and arranging a first date. He asked when I was available, and I told him my earliest availability was monday evening after my full-time job. He offered Thursday at lunchtime in response. I will copy my response below:
"I work thursday! I'm not sure how lunch would work. Unless you want to have lunch at the courhouse lol"
He asked me why i used an exclamation mark, and I asked him why not? I thought it was a strange question tbh. He explained to me that I was emphasizing something, and he couldn't figure out what i was emphasizing or why. I told him I wasn't emphasizing anything in particular. I was just surprised and a little eager and trying to convey that in a friendly manner. I also added that maybe we just have different texting styles, and i didn't mean anything by it. This is what he wrote in response:
"Different text styles but baby, you’re changing the meaning. That’s all. I got it now."
I said no way there's definitely a difference between exclaiming and emphasizing, I meant one and not the other. He sent me an A.I. explanation on why I'm wrong, and why I shouldn't use exclamation marks....
I always thought an exclamation mark implied expression like surprise or something. He basically called me dumb and said I shouldn't repeat that to anyone else.
When writing, I wouldn't think a word was being emphasized unless i used italics or underlined or even capitalized every letter. Now I'm confused.
Thoughts?
edit: Thank you all for all of the thoughtful replies! I've come to the conclusion that I used the exclamation in a way that was confusing, but that it was, in fact, grammatically fine and that no, it doesn't HAVE to mean you're emphasizing anything in particular when you use it because it can denote tone. As much as I appreciate the convo I will no longer be replying. Have a great one.