Do you curse and swear? How many times would you drop the F-bomb in a day? What do you think of other people using profanity? Swearing is indicative of an individual’s intellect, maturity, and socialization. If someone’s every second word is F-this and F-that, they are simply ignorant. I guarantee you these people have not read a book since leaving school. They have a limited vocabulary and simply cannot express themselves. They probably started swearing at a young age because it was cool or used it as a sense of power, but they never grew up. They suffer from arrested development and continue to think, act, and talk like an adolescent. We are all products of our environment and swearing may have been used continually in the home and in social settings. But just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.
For me, swearing comes down to time and place. I am not a saint. I can drop the F-bomb with the worst of them, but I can also adjust my vocabulary accordingly. Some may say that swearing comes under Freedom of Speech. But what these people fail to realize is that when you have a right to do something, you also have a responsibility that goes with that right. You have the right not to bathe, but your body odor will be offensive to those around you. If you have any self-respect, you bathe daily. Why do we not hold language to the same standard?
The arts reflect societal standards. When Gone With the Wind was released in 1939, profanity was never used nor accepted on the big screen. But the movie’s last line, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”, changed all that. Since then, every four-letter word imaginable can be heard. Is this a sign of a liberated society or moral decay?
Many comedians will use profanity as part of their routine. Well-placed and well-timed four-letter words can be done effectively and can be hilarious. But, for me, a comedian using profane language continuously is not funny. It tells me he does not have enough material and is trying to get a cheap laugh with F-bombs. When it comes to profanity and comedy, less is more.
For those religious or spiritually inclined, The Ten Commandments have something to say about speech. One of the commandments states: Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain. Does that mean you can drop F-bombs casually but not the Lord’s name? Or are they both in the same league? I will leave that for biblical scholars to weigh in on that one.
Like most other things, the use of profanity comes under The Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Do I want a stranger to drop F-bombs around my grandkids? Absolutely not. So, I do not do it to others in that setting. If I am in a bar, swearing is probably encouraged.
While I am not personally offended by the F-bomb or other four-letter words, I view it as ignorant. I feel that we, as a society, can be a little more selective about the time and place where we drop our guard. I want to live in a world where we raise the bar, not lower it. Be a class act.
Cheers,
Al