Interesting Wall Street Journal article about profanity in the workplace. Turns out some corporate cultures and bosses accept or even encourage foul language, claiming it indicates passion, while others strictly frown on it.
In its hard-boiled youth, the newsroom was often seen as a bastion of vulgarity. Corporate culture is slowly but surely changing that.
What do you think? Is profanity in the workplace OK? Or is it unprofessional and always in poor taste because there is always the risk of offending someone?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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19 Comments
Profanity is here to stay, like it or not. The “F” word means very little now a days. Is it right? Personal choice on this one.
This is one of my pet peeves. Profanity NEVER has a place in proper society, including the workplace. Passion can be demonstrated in many ways and the proper choice of words is always appropriate.Self control and literacy are the marks of a true gentleman. A person dresses the way he wants other people to perceive him but his speech reveals his inner self.
Ear pollution has no place in the workplace.
Gosh, I think I would tend to apply different standards depending on where I was working. Someone working in the banking industry might have slightly different standards than someone working on a drilling platform in the Gulf. Someone working in the Sales department of xyz airplane company might have different standards than someone working in the sheetmetal shop of xyz airplane company.
And if I offend you, well go screw yourself.
Although a word is a word and profanity to me is really no big deal, but in the work place, many companies will say it’s a form of harrasment.
I think that in many ways this is a symptom of our lack of vocabulary and the ability to ise language. We have lost the ability to insult or verbally attack our adversary without use of one-syllable words.
If you listen to the heckling in the British Parliament (where it is a fine art) you do not hear profanity. You DO hear wonderfully crafted insults.
An exchange from McLaughlin Group:
“I do know a little about this subject you know”
“Yea, VERY little!”
That is infinitely more effective than “f*** you”
Using profanity at work is probably to your detriment if you are trying to get ahead.
The real losers are those who use profanity with kids around.
Profanity exists in every language of which I’m aware, and for a reason. The issue should be one of mutual respect (yes, including of those who react to the words themselves!). But a little bit of tolerance and common sense should exercised by everyone, if you get my drift.
There’s also a bit of a difference between letting the sparks fly when, say, you can’t reach a confirming source and facing deadline, and between being abusive toward your co-workers. In fact, a BIG difference.
Agreed that swearing is just a substitute for linquistic skills, and that people who swear a lot are demonstrating a lack of vocabulary.
On the other hand, Mark Twain did have an interesting insight when he said:”Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.”
Yet, like everything, there is a time and place. And a professional work place is almost never the time or place for vulgarity/profanity.
My 2 cents worth…
So what does that say about the intelligence and class of our ‘distinguished’ Vice President, for his infamous “F You!” used on Capitol Hill?
A person that expresses themselves solely by profanity cannot fully express themselves at all.
Profanity has its time and place. I think there will always be muttered profanity in the workplace just like there will always be prayer in schools (please help me on this test PLEASE!!!!).However the profanity that is so common place today has me a bit offended. The “F” word has lost its potency. It’s dropped in any and every sentance.Remember the Christmas movie classic “A Christmas Story” and the ‘fudge’ scene?
I agree with Ben, saying ‘f’ you just doesn’t have the satisfaction of “You sir are an imbecile who has no knowledge of anything and deems it worthy to express your lack of knowledge on any and every subject!”
While I am certain that the use of profanity reflects poorly on the individual, it pales in comparison to the damage caused by political correctness and attempts to limit speech.
I agree sooory – like the Fundies trying to ban books from libraries.
This is the logical end result of corporations taking on the culture of the affirmative action coconuts that they have been hiring en mass for the past 30+ years.
V.L.R.B!!!
I don’t know where else to post this but a Missouri Congressional Representative sent out a letter that had a “typo” at the bottom.(I hope the link works)http://wid.ap.org/interactives/emerson.pdf
I agree, the overuse of the “F” word show a lack of intelligence, verbal skill, and creativity, and I’m one of the worst offenders!
You are bad Damoon but those two potty mouthed, young whipper snappers CF and CruX take first prize.
V.L.R.B
It is impossible to restrict actions and words to only those which would not offend anyone.
However, using bad language at work does give off an uneducated image and ever since I started using that language my knowledge of the regular English language has inexplicably lessened.