Should swearing be taken out of the workplace? What does it really have an effect on the workplace?

2015-04-28T10:47:07-04:00

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 28 at 2015 10:49 AM

2015-04-28T10:49:44-04:00

It's not professional.

It should be avoided in general. That said, we're adults, and the occasional piece of profanity will slip our tongues from time to time.

It's not about hurt feelings. It's not about Mothers of America. It's about being Profession, and dropping a F-bomb every other word in polite company is just not acceptable.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-04-28T10:56:06-04:00

Yes. Has an affect on professionalism.
Article 134 UCMJ. Indecent Language. Paragraph 60 quoted below.

Elements.

(1) That the accused orally or in writing communicated to another person certain language;

(2) That such language was indecent; and

(3) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces. Note: In appropriate cases add the following element after element (1): That the person to whom the language was communicated was a child under the age of 16.

Note: When the language is communicated in front of a child, this offense is punishable under the new Article 120.

Explanation. "Indecent" language is that which is grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety, or shocks the moral sense, because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature, or its tendency to incite lustful thought. Language is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts. The language must violate community standards. See paragraph 87 if the communication was made in the physical presence of a child.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 28 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-04-28T11:30:14-04:00

I agree it is unprofessional. If you’re an individual who has the tendency to spout out a plethora of profanity. It will not help with your connection as a leader, partner or friend to name a few. It will lose its effectiveness. However, a wise Mentor of mine once told me “A well place "F" in a conversation can be effective as well.”

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Apr 28 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-04-28T11:40:01-04:00

Swearing is one of those things that really is kind of a middle of the road theological issue to me. What is swearing... It is basically when one produces a metaphor for a situation with the metaphor being something that invoke intense emotion. So instead of saying OW! when we stub our toe, we say S@$T. or something similar. Now the deeper question is what do those metaphors mean?

To the person who said it, its just a release of energy in a verbal way to explain an emotion. To others it is a profanity. 99% of the time we say a profanity, the metaphor we say has nothing to do with the action or emotion we are meaning to express. See my Example above where the profanity's meaning of crap, has nothing to do with the sore toe.

So why are we saying words that don't mean how we feel? Well we are humans and we tend to learn to communicate from our parents and our environment. (Kids learn swear words from their parents and other kids and parents in the community, as well as other forms of Media.) So we swear because those before us show us how we do it.

But why are those words profane? S@$T and crap mean the exact same thing. You can even say Poop, and you will get chuckles cause poop sounds funny where S@$T just doesn't sound funny at all. Well they are profane because humans make those words profane. Back in the 1800's the word "dangnabit" was equal to the F-bomb, now a days. But you don't see any hurry to censor dangnabit, do you? Doesn't mean the same as the others in our minds.

Profanity is words assigned definitions in our minds that we determine are profane. Profane means Vulgar, and vulgar means, "Not having good manners". So swearing his not good manners. So basicly someone along the way decided saying S@$T was not good manners.

That makes people who say profanity, not good manners in those who say those words are Profanity. In other words if you don't like the word S@$T then that is bad manners to you, just as if you don't like the word Poop, then that is profanity to you.

Have I put anyone to sleep yet? Because honestly I can go WAY into this theological storm. By the way don't try and use this argument on your mother. She will insert a bar of soap so fast in your mouth, you will think your tonsils where just power washed by a Dishwasher!

Anyway so it comes down to the individual, and the company they keep. If the work place is a place where swearing is except able then let it ride. If not, then make sure the work place supervisor communicates that clearly and effectively, and as a community, you enforce it.

But also since resiliency seems to be a big word chucked around the military today. If you the individual are not resilient enough to handle a slip of profanity, (not a every day swear fest) then maybe you need to look at yourself a little harder. And I am not saying this to be an A$$hat, I am saying that lack of resiliency, emotional problems, fear in the workplace and others emotional indicators can point to psychological issues you may need to have looked at. Such as PTSD, Bi-polarism, and other mental health issues.

Keep yourself healthy, physicaly and mentally and if you want to swear go for it. It lets out emotions tied up inside, just swap out some words. Who knows.. maybe we can get "Dangnabit" back as profanity again!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 28 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-04-28T14:56:01-04:00

Leaders should avoid profanity to the extent possible and should take necessary action to correct those who use it in public places. It is unprofessional and serves no useful purpose.

While I have certainly been guilty of using profanity when I could have avoided it by more self-control, and I understand that some situations simply scream for it, it nonetheless demonstrates a lack of self-control by leaders who consistently use it. As I have counseled several NCOs and officers about their use of profanity, "how can I trust you to control others when you apparently can't control yourself".

Those of you who disagree with me can just go $#^@* and #@*^+* yourself ... :-) :-)

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-04-28T15:24:20-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I do think that it should be avoided, at the same time, my first language is Spanish and I don't get offended by English. One sergeant called me once "turd knuckle", by phone, when I got to the office he apologized and he told me that he didn't intent to offend me but that was the way he talks. I told him that it was ok, without telling him that I had no clue what a "turd knuckle" was.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 3:46 PM

2015-04-28T15:46:47-04:00

I will be the first to admit, that as a Section Sgt, Platoon Sergeant and damn sure as a First Sergeant, I was known (and probably remembered) for a foul mouth outburst from time to time. Every other word in a sentence....NO! However, to gain attention, ensure the seriousness of the situation and meaning and to make sure it was understood I meant every damn word I said...Guilty!

Some call it unprofessional( it can be)....so be it, then don't use it. Some call it an effective leadership tool and use it effectively (it is)...so be it and I approve and agree.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-07-26T08:23:10-04:00

To a point yes, but sentence enhancers get points across a lot faster than explaining in the combat environment. Just my personal opinion.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 26 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-07-26T22:08:46-04:00

Foul language shows a lack of vocabulary and is unprofessional.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-07-26T22:21:11-04:00

If you cannot express yourself without the use of expletives to me it is a sign of low intelligence. There are thousands of words that could be used in their place. Honestly it's more entertaining for me to see the expression on someone's face when I use verbal ninjutsu and they have no idea I just belittled them.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 12 at 2015 6:19 AM

2015-08-12T06:19:28-04:00

Well in Alabama which is part of the bible belt, saying the F word in public will get someone on the sex offender list same as urinating in public. I am not serious.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 2 at 2016 4:06 PM

2016-03-02T16:06:37-05:00

As a spanking new 2ndLt Plt Ldr, when I was particularly unhappy with the performance of my platoon during a drill. I launched into, for me, an absolutely unparalleled, obscenity laden "training" speech. The Battalion Sgt Maj a decorated Khe San veteran, overheard the speech. When I was finished, he motioned me aside. He made two points 1) "No one is shooting at you. No one is injured. And nothing is broken. But you are very emotional. What did you just tell your Marines about how you will react when someone is shooting at you, someone is injured, and something is broken? Never, never, never lose your head. 2) "Obscenity is a spice. Use it too frequently and in too large a quantity, and you ruin the meal. Used infrequently, and sparingly, it makes people take notice." I never yelled at My Marines again, except to be heard over a distance or back ground noise. On the RARE occasion I used an obscenity, the Marines knew there was no next chance.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2021 12:21 PM

2021-09-19T12:21:55-04:00

Used routinely, I find it coarse and unprofessional. Saved for extreme occasions, more extreme language can be useful. I don't swear often, and most of what I use is pretty mild - along the lines of "damn" or "bullshit". So, if I drop a really rare F-bomb, people around me notice and pay close attention, because it means that I am REALLY displeased about something.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Feb 12 at 2022 7:03 PM

2022-02-12T19:03:33-05:00

Whoever wrote this never worked in construction. If swearing offends you, You need to find another job. Maybe as a librarian.