Zguy28 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I want to know your opinions on profanity in the workplace. Specifically in a white-collar environment. Okay? Not okay? Just not the "F-word"? Disgusting? The reason I ask is that there is a guy who works right next to me who seems to want to imitate that crazy terrets guy from the internet and the mail courier is like his best friend and she always seems to want to hang out in our office and she cusses like a sailor and rather loudly. Those of you who know me obviously know why it bothers me personally. Poll is coming.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Profanity in the workplace ? I say, **** it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Against it, especially if the workplace has any access to the public. Under extreme duress if a word pops out here or there it is fine, we're adults, but other than in a day care setting we ought to guard a tongues a little. As for the day care, too many of America's two year olds are pansies and they need to toughen up. We need to start exposing them and testing them and hardening them up to the realities of the world. Part of being a professional is acting like one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IbleedBnG83 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 It depends on the work environment. Usually profanity is used by people who are comfortable around each other and know each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Really I think it starts at the top My old boss cussed like a sailor. F this F that, ****, F, whatever. So our whole group cussed quite a bit Personally, I try and avoid it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bay Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 In general I'd say no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Every once in a while is cool with me, but if it's a constant thing I think that's uncalled for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zguy28 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 I also found this on Yahoo answers. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061020015018AASRmZ2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buenosdiaz Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 yeah it depends with who...i've never used it in a meeting but with my friends at work i'll use profanity...try to limit it though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfitzo53 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I don't think you can make white-collar generalizations. I interned with a communications/engineering firm that did government contracting. They needed folks with security clearances, so a lot of influential people in the company had significant military experience and cussing wasn't really frowned upon in the office as long as it wasn't excessive. Clearly dealing with the customers was a different story. At other companies, it may be found completely unacceptable and that's fine too. You just kinda follow the lead the execs set unless it's personally distasteful to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnhay Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'd wait to see what the culture is like within the organization. If it's commonplace, and no one gets offended, then go ahead. I don't think it's ever okay to curse with customers unless it's clear that the customer accepts it and maybe even encourages it (they don't specifically say "curse at me", but certain customers might find you uptight). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Ha, I've always worked with Engineers and NavArchs - a lot of whom used to be in the Navy. Needless to say, the profanity flows pretty freely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buenosdiaz Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 remember the seinfeld episode when george kept calling people son's of ****es and ****s hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnhay Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 remember the seinfeld episode when george kept calling people son's of ****es and ****s hahaha That's exactly what I was thinking of when I wrote my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Judges Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 white collar here. There is no need for profanity, ever IMO. It just makes you look unprofessional and it shows that your buttons can be pressed. I work in an environment with high stakes negotiations. The guy on the other side of the table is trying to get a feel for my temperment/breaking point. I'd much rather keep him guessing. People around me curse sometimes, I've heard people yelling at each other over the phone, I've seen people get extremely fiesty to the point where I was actually preparing to hold one of them back from throwing punches. During all of these situations, I never once thought to myself "gee, Bob sure did advance his position or career by raging like that." It was always counterproductive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtyquinn Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Profanity is inappropriate and unprofessional in the workplace. Use of it only demonstrates a person's inability to express themselves verbally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty dread Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 In a white collar environment I'd say it's pretty tacky and unprofessional. I once had a boss that swore up and down like a truck driver, even on the phone with clients! I was blown away at how she spoke to people, it was pretty pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desioreo87 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 If you are having a regular conversation with a co-worker that you know or is your friend then I don't see the problem, however, any work related issue needs to be dealt with appropriately and that means being serious about the job and not using profanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljs Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 As a manager in a white collar workplace, it is completely unacceptable. We have fired people for it. We have employees who are talking to customers on the phone, and people who have client meetings. My office is right next to the new hire orientation area, so anytime we have new employees come in I hear all sorts of stuff. The cursing isn't the only issue, but the topics of conversation. My boss is a Morman who has never had a sip of alcohol in his life. He rarely cracks a joke. I think he would be really pissed if one of us cussed around him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibbsFactor Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Forget about it. Just don't do it. So many people are so over sensitive. You can't do anything in a white collar arena other then being as professional as possible. Kills the soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueinBuf Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 It depends on the situation, I work as an engineer and if I'm just sitting in my cubicle with my buddies we swear. But if you go into a meeting or you know customers or a VP may be around you watch your language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 My boss is a Morman who has never had a sip of alcohol in his life. He rarely cracks a joke. I think he would be really pissed if one of us cussed around him. I feel so sorry for this poor fella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins PR Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 What if someone where to say, "Which N-word ate the last doughnut?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 To me it depends on who you're around. You have to know the people you are with and whether they would find the profanity appropriate to the situation. If you're not sure how they'd respond, then don't use it. Myself, I generally avoid using it, but I'm not at all offended by it if someone else does. Simply cussing all the time out of bad habit though, should be avoided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I really don't care unless they are acting stupir around the clients. Profanity itself doesn't offend me in any way. It's just language and the list of "bad words" is constantly changing anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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