And I wasn't even conscious of just how much I was swearing.
Yep, this educated little missy has the mouth of a trucker. Andrew thinks it's kinda cute. I just don't think about it much.
(I should just block my mouth half the time... cutest card curtesy of FiveSeed a few years back!)
I've even noticed Andrew using 'Frig'- which is definitely something he's picked up from me (or Randy from Trailer Park Boys... I LOVE the Trailer Park Boys).
You know, it's not like we ever swore in my house growing up. My mother never swears hardly at all and my father is a firm believer that men should never swear in front of children or "ladies". (Ok, Andrew just laughed at the terrible grammar in that sentence... rereading it I have to agree... however it is fairly representative of my rural awesome-speak...)
It's just so darn effective and cathartic. Thinking that once we have a child our swearing would be greatly diminished made me a little sad (weird, I know).
That said, there is most certainly and time and a place where dropping f-bombs at every verbal intersection just rubs me the wrong way. I feel like there has to be a happy balance of appropriate:
a) time and situation
b) ratio of swear words and vocabulary with meaning and
c) company.
Plus there are certain swear words that are just *not* said:
- the c-word. In fact, any female derogatory swear word (and there are many). I really hate it. I don't care if women try to 'reclaim' the word. It's like reclaiming the 'n-word'... language has cultural and historical significance, impacting how we consider and view the world.
- racist swear words. 'nuff said.
- the 'r-word'- think it's harmless? Take a quick read here for a different perspective.
- homophobic swear words. This includes 'gay' as a negative adjective.
Situations where swearing is grating:
- A yoga class. You know what- a swear word is rough, abrasive and angry. I'm not there for abrasive or angry. I'm there to learn and reconnect with myself, not to be distracted by a teachers' (unsuccessful) attempt to make themselves 'cool' or 'real'.
- A university or learning lecture. I had a prof once use racist slurs in class. It was extremely upsetting and as a person in a position of relative power, it was wrong. The participants are there to learn, if you can't teach without resorting to expletives, then maybe a thesaurus would be helpful.
- In front of children. Now... this one is tricky. I sometimes forget myself when out with friends and flinch when I notice little kids in line, or close by. Of course, I would be the perfect 'learning opportunity' for parents to point out to children what not to say... but I could also easily refrain.
- In front of parents or elders. Seriously, I don't need to swear in front of them and they don't want to hear it. I see it as a form of respect.
- My blog... weird, but I try not to riddle up my writing with curse words. My mom reads this blog!
And that's it for your Sunday Off-Topic Confession!
What about you? Thoughts on swearing?
Ugh - I never used to swear... Until I met your brother! Lol J.C. Happens to be the most common one to slip out.. My parents would be SO ashamed if they knew!
ReplyDeletehahaha must be a family thing.... :)
DeleteMy personal philosophy is that I don't swear because it could affect my listener in a negative way without my even knowing it. I've been reading about the Yamas and Niyamas, and there could be times when swearing could be perceived as "violence" of a sort to some people if they are "shocked" by it. Peace, Love, and Yoga. Carrie
ReplyDeleteyes definitely could be interpreted that way. I think it's great that you don't swear- it's like drinking coffee- not that good for you.
Deletei try to strike a balance (hence my parameters around swearing). :)
I've got a filthy mouth. I think on the whole it's a British thing. We all swear like troupers. Even my mum drops F Bombs here and there. I have American friends who live here who were horrified by all the swearing when they first moved over!
ReplyDeleteDespite all that though I have never ever ever sworn when teaching or when with clients (with the exception of one very swearing client - who clearly doesn't mind!!). It's not even conscious. I just get into my professional space and I don't swear. I don't have any conscious parameters at all. But then, like I say, we're a sweary country.
I used to HATE it.....then I was stuck in the military culture....now I'm 50/50. Definitely drop the f bomb way more than I should, but I've cut back in the last year I'd say and tried to clean it up better. I say to each their own, but definitely time/place/population appropriateness to consider!
ReplyDeleteI swear all the g-d, m-f'ing time. :) Including the c-word, but usually only to refer to myself. Inga Muscio's book of that name made a strong impression on me when I was in college, so maybe that has something to do with it. However, of course I realize that time and place affect what I should and shouldn't say, and usually I behave appropriately. I certainly wouldn't swear while leading a yoga class.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love Trailer Park Boys. Did you know it's got a following down here? Friends threw a TPB party last summer, and we had to come in costume. Luckily, no photos were taken!
I have a major potty mouth. But I am super careful, since I work with kids. However, I have to admit, once, my nephew fell off a tall chair and I was so scared he had hurt himself, I screamed, "SHIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" at the top of my lungs while running toward him! Oops.
ReplyDelete