Why do people get offended when others use swear words?

Question

They are just words right? Whats the difference if I stub my toe and yell "****" rather than "darn"?

Answer 1

It's relative. Someone yelling F*** when they stub their toe doesn't upset me. Someone calling me a C*** upsets me to the point of violence. I don't swear very much personally, but it doesn't really offend me. However I do think less of people who don't seem to be able to control what comes out of their mouths.

I had a friend at a christian school who would use every filthy phrase under the book but would not say g**d*** because that one was a sin, the rest were just offensive.

Answer 2

You are quite right in that saying 'darn' rather than it's close companion is no different, but some people do get offended when others swear, because they think it's morally wrong. No matter what, you should respect their feelings on the issue.

Answer 3

Some people are religious and say it's a sin to swear. It's in the bible. That's why people get offended. Some businesses also forbid their employees from swearing.

The good news is as TV becomes a bit looser on swearing, so does our society. Swearing isn't as big a deal as it was in the '50s and '60s. At the same time it seems that racial epithets and anti-gay epithets are replacing cuss words as the new taboo words - I notice those words being bleeped out on TV. So I guess there will always be taboo words in our society.

Answer 4

I think it's because more often than not, swear words tend to sound aggressive. For example, if I heard you shout **** angrily and loudly in the middle of a busy street because you stubbed your toe, I'd think you were saying it to me because I wouldn't know why you said **** since I didn't see you stub your toe. I'd feel threatened by what I thought you said to me and so I'd get offended. But that's only my opinion.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with cuss words. They are a part of many people's vocabulary, and it just comes natural to some people. I started cussing at the age of 5 (my favourite word was always sh|t)..Now my favourite word is f*u*c*k*. i can't help it, I have tried to quit, but it's really hard, and quitting just would not be me.

I can watch my mouth at work, but I don't feel the need to watch my mouth in public or at home. If someone at Wal Mart gets offended by hearing me cuss, then oh well, screw em!

Sorry to be so blunt.

Answer 6

ive noticed its more fun to say them then to hear them spoken. if you stub your toe you should yell what ever you want. If I broke something I would. Makes me feel better, and in the end its all about you.

Answer 7

Because there could be children around + swear words don't add value to your personality or anything else infact there usage indicates that one is a person of low morals,low schooling and low upbringing. They attract contempt from others.

So it is not that people feel offended but rather feel sorry for you.

Answer 8

Some people don't know when to cuss. they use the words in general instead of using them to make a point or get someones attention.
Personally I don't care to hear cuss words, they are only words after all.

Answer 9

I think it just has to do with the simple civics of society, people are influenced by the stipulations of society, society in turn is inflenced by morals, values and religion or the lack there of. So, in any situation what you see is pretty much what you get

Answer 10

because its against their religion to cuss, as for me i could care less, you shouldnt cuss all the time, only if the situation call for it. i would say the main reason that it offends people is when it is used for no reason.