Why do people curse in inappropriate situations?

Question

I work with the public and I am finding more and more people curse while speaking. I don't care about cursing when we have a personal relationship, but if it's business, what's with the foul language?!? I am hearing the elderly curse, otherwise intelligent people curse, and people even cursing in front of their young children? It's almost as if no one has manners anymore, and what's especially disturbing is that if it's a man, they do not censor themselves in front of a lady. I would feel strange cursing in front of someone I don't know while transacting business; I wouldn't know if I am insulting them or not. It seems very rude.

Answer 1

It does seem like many people have no idea of "appropriate behavior". There is no consideration to being in "mixed" company.

And as you point out its not just kids!

Maybe its partly what people see in movies and TV. And there are so few people it seems that will speak up if some is being crude. And it you do speak up, people often get mad and abusive rather than apologize (which means your kids hear even worse swears!)

I am sure one of the issues has been the feminist movement. It gave us lots more opportunities but conditioned men to think we are no different from them. So they can swear up a storm and not feel guilty.

Why crudeness is becoming common in business is beyond me. I guess no one expect politeness so its OK to to say anything anytime?

I read stories about people wearing flip flops to interviews. People answering their cell phone no matter where they are and then yelling into it so we can all hear half a conversation....

So many inappropriate situations, so little time.... and sadly I have no good solution to get people to be more considerate of others. Emily Post where are you now?

Answer 2

I may be one in a million, but I feel that the English language has such beautiful words, why waste them by using the bad ones. I guess some people curse out of habit, and others think it's cool. The only time I could excuse anyone from cursing is when they're really angry -- and even then it's not appropriate, but it is understandable. I agree that it's never proper to use swear words in a business situation, and never in front of children who will easily pick up bad habits. And no gentleman would ever use profanity in front of a lady. I do understand your concerns. Unfortunately, we live in an uncensored society. The only advice I can give is to shut your ears and be a shining example to others by always being polite and courteous, and letting your language reflect that you're a person with good upbringing.

Answer 3

The problem is that people feel it's appropriate to swear at will in their everyday language and loose all ability to censor themselves in public situations.

Someone else said the English language is full of beautiful words, why use the ugly ones to express yourself. Here here! Besides, it's much more satisfying to leave someone with an insult that sends them to dictionary.com. ;)

Are you in a position at work where you can tell the people you don't appreciate their language? In my position, I am more than comfortable telling a person that we can continue the conversation if they can stop swearing. I have ended phone conversations at work because the person refuses to stop using foul language. I am a professional, working in a professional environment, and their language needs to be acceptable for that environment. Simple as that. I put up with enough other crap that I don't need someone offending my sense of language with their verbal inappropriateness.

A couple of weeks ago this group from Northrup was using a space on our campus. It was right next to my office. During one of their breaks, these two guys were talking right in front of my office door, which was open. No idea why they thought it was a good idea to stand right at someone's office door and carry on a conversation especially when there's a hallway just a few steps away. Anyway, a bit into their conversation and this guy just starts dropping the F bomb. He wasn't mad, didn't sound like a heated conversation, just like saying "I went to the f****** room and we f****** learned about this new product." So I finally looked up right at the two guys and sighed very loudly like "hello, it's bad enough you're disturbing my peaceful work day by setting up camp right at my doorway but the F word is too much."

The guy with the F problem looked at me and did this hand gesture like "what gives" and, without missing a beat continued his conversation with just as many f bombs. Ridiculous. Like when did this become accepted into everyday business conversations?

Answer 4

Personally I think it's wrong. I can't believe how many "nice" people use the F-word in their every day conversations. I love it when parents say that word & then get upset when their children tell them to F-off or go F yourself.

I think cursing is to be used at very limited times around very few people.

Just my thoughts.

Answer 5

Because the days of gentility have gone long away, and people now call it "censorship" instead of "common courtesy". I remember when you couldn't say words like "diarreah" or "stretch marks" on TV. Now you hear everything short of the Heavy Seven, and those you can get on late-night cable.
Ppeople are so busy thinking about what they CAN do instead of what they SHOULD do- that's called lack of discipline.

Answer 6

I also would like to know and shall be reading your question's answers in the hope some knows. I notice an idiot had to interject right off the bat. Personally I'm not so anxious for people to see my stupidity.
Vaya con DIOS

Answer 7

My mother used to say that people who swear all the time have a very limited vocabulary. Chalk them off as morons!

Answer 8

yes, it does. For some people, it has jsut become such a part of their everyday language that they may not even realize they are doing it. Also, foul laguage is no longer as taboo as it once was.

Answer 9

They must have been raised my my husband's mother. She curses every breath. He does too.