Profanity at work?

Question

Here in Ireland curse words are sprinkled through nearly all of our conversations, and even in some cases with customers and nobody bats an eyelid. However, I have heard of Irish people being fired in the US for throwing in something as light as feck into a conversation with no malice.

So, why does profanity that has no malice and bad sentiment have such repurcussions in the US, particularly in the workplace?

Answer 1

Not all jobs in America are like that. I mean where ppl curse. Its just not acceptable. It depends on the workplace. My husband works underground, and its really bad down there, as far as cursing goes. Even the women down there curse. Its just how they are, I guess. But, when he tries to bring it home, Im constantly telling him to clean it up. Its not gonna go in the home!*

Answer 2

1. Because it can be offensive.
2. It's COMPLETELY unprofessional - I don't care what country you're in, and what the standard is. I'm going to think less of you, and possibly wonder how intelligent you are if your vocabulary is so limited, so I might not trust you to do anything more important than wash my car.
3. America can be hypocritical. What we do at work definitely is NOT what we do at home most times, and in America, everyone wants a standard for the workplace where people can be reasonably sure that they will receive some standard of atmosphere as a general rule.

Besides, it's just gross - there really isn't a need to use such language if you think about it, and like I said before..it can be a real turn off for some people. I would not do business with someone who used profanity flippantly and for no reason at all.

Answer 3

It is interesting how different we can be, yes? Cursing in a business situation where there are customers, patients, and many age groups is inappropriate because cursing (or even pretend cursing) offends so many people. Parents don't like their children to hear the words because children think it is cool to repeat the words... and of course children may get in trouble for those words at school. Words that one generation thinks is mild (like the word "suck") will deeply offend other generations. The older generation could be your customer or your boss, so your right to free speech will affect you. Therefore, the unwritten rule is to be quiet and do what others are doing in your environment. Construction workers and other laborers are often more comfortable with bawdy language. Corporate giants may be just as comfortable with cursing, but only at a cocktail party or behind closed doors. It is just so much easier to not curse than it is to worry about when, where, who, or why.

Answer 4

They must not have been working in a restaurant kitchen then! Male or female, our conversations are always sprinkled with curse words. When something goes wrong the air turns blue!

Must have been an uptight place they worked for if the f word got them fired without even a reprimand saying to watch their language, especially if it wasn't directed at anyone. We Americans aren't all shiny and stuck up innocents.

Answer 5

It really depends on what part of America you are in - some places are really liberal about cursing, other places are really stupid and puritanical.

I used to be a commerical carpenter in New York City for 13 years, so I've worked with lots of Irish guys. And I know that you guys have a way with profanity! [that's how I learned what a "bollocks" is!]

And I totally don't have a problem with that (nor does anybody else on a jobsite - hey, it's construction, people curse!)

But that's New York City - because of our city's strong Irish heritage, EVERBODY curses here. I work for the Board of Education now, and I hear teachers cursing!!! Sometimes even in front of the students!!!! And it's OK, because we're New Yorkers and we're mature about that, just like you Irish folks are.

But other parts of America are kinda stupid about that.

If you go to places like Texas or Florida, they think "damn" and "hell" are swear words!!!

I kid you not!!

Basically, if you're in New York, Boston, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles or Miami curse away!

But if you're in Florida outside of Miami, Upstate New York, rural New England, Downstate Illinois - or basically any of the 'red states' (the places between New York and California that vote Republican and like George Bush) be careful what you say because they are really stupid about swearing!!!

Answer 6

People want to pretend they are so GOOD here in America. Some are (few), but most are just seeking the moral higher ground so they can look down on you. Profanity is usually pretty OK for these people, if you don't use it too publicly, except for when your at the bar.

Answer 7

You're just going to find that different countries and cultures have different standards. Just need to be knowledgeable and respectful of these differences or risk losing face with people you have to do business with.

Answer 8

Americans are funny like that.