I don't think your supposed to take it literally. I don't use it much but when I see it I realize that the person found something amusing. No big deal. Its used to get your point across as there is no way to tell what the other person makes of statements you or other people make. It does not bother me at all and I cannot see why it would bother anybody. Its age old internet lingo,if internet lingo can be age old. Maybe its just years old,whatever,i'm rambling.
And to answer the question,yes sometimes I actually do laugh out loud.