If I send an email to j.o.e.non.e@gmail.com, you'll get it.

The dots are superficial -- you can add them or remove them as you want. The login form for gmail even respects this, as I can add or subtract dots however I want.

My email address is barry.melton -- I can send and receive email as barrymelton as well, or b.a.r.rymelton, or barry.melt.on or whatever.