Well, there are three ways to use emotes really. The first is with your "Emote Wand" which you get in your inventory. You'll see it has a special power; activating it will bring up a list of Emotes, fiddle around with it, there are some pretty cool ones.

The other way to do it is to hit the Radial Menue. Fewer Emotes, but still spiffy and you can quickslot them if you like. And the last way is simply to put the **s around a verb. (Eg: How do you do? *Bows*) It's the universal way to emote something, and my personal favorite.
Welcome! ZV-