On my Sony Ericsson, when it dingle dongles I swipe from the top of the screen towards the bottom and a list of notifications is shown: facebook, e-mail1, e-mail2, etc. but sms message notifications are on one line in the middle of the screen without any swiping.
BTW, as you wrote that 'not quite so serious' are also welcome: if you hit your cheek a resounding smack with your smart phone does it make you smart?
cheers, falcybe