GovernmentExecutive.com

I understand a person's 1st Amend. Right of Free Speech, but what of my right to not have to hear every four letter word that they decide to spout.

I agree with P.M. Correa, why use profanity, when there are so many other words that can better express what you are trying to say. Better to let the world think that you are ignorant than to open your mouth and prove it.

Peggy  | Monday, March 10, 2008 |  06:58 PM

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Where'd you get the idea you had a right to go through life unoffended?

aidan  | Saturday, November 17, 2007 |  06:12 AM

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I would think the appropriateness might depend upon the circumstances (are you working with others in an emergency to rescue a lost child, to prevent an avalanche or some other life threatening situation, or are you dealing with a routine response to a GAO report?).

Since most scientific literature gets boiled down to a simple declarative sentence, I suspect that there are many caveats and limits to generality in the report of that study not covered in a blog entry.

I find myself thinking profanity, but other forms of explosive venting work just as well. And many alternatives are less likely to create a hostile work place. Teamwork and solidarity can be killed if the slang is used to exclude as well as vent.

A lot of people think that "a few choice words" or a high volume voice is an effective managing strategy. Usually, it's more of an intimidation with short term results, but that fails to develop and encourage employees. In the long run, the manager works harder to keep an eye on people or do their jobs for them because they were never encouraged and taught to be independent workers.

There's a lot more to debate than sloganizing and a lot more to managing than creating a short term sense of "camaraderie" for a select few.

Dave  | Monday, October 22, 2007 |  09:05 AM

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I complete agree, i work in a kitchen of a very popular grill n bar and me and my fellow cooks use profanity very often, not in an abusive way but just to keep ourselves sane during rushes....it gives us a way to blow off steam without having to leave our work stations.

Kem  | Friday, October 19, 2007 |  12:25 AM

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There never is a place for profanity in the workplace, but neither is absence of passion for doing a good job. Also, fairness in this issue is paramount. You can't have "executive coaching" proposed for a profane NASA IG and then 3-day suspensions doled out for "disrespectful conduct" in the workng troops. There's a clear message here and it does not operate for the good of the public service!

Anonymous  | Thursday, October 18, 2007 |  08:52 AM

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If cursing and swearing bonds society together, then, parents and schools should unite and start teaching the positive sides of profanity to our children from the time they enter kindergarten. By the time they get into the workforce, they'll be experts at it! It's just too bad that there are no other words in the American dictionary or our beautiful English language to express ourselves other than by profanity for it to be meaningful.

P. M. Correa  | Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |  11:12 PM

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I disagree with Dennis. Studies indicate that a varied and large vocabulary, no matter the words chosen to exhibit the vocabulary, is an indication of intelligence. In the simplest terms, it could be a large gray mammal taking residence on top of my house or it could be the @#&*! elephant sitting on my straw hut. Both express the situation; neither signifies a greater level of intelligence.

What I think Dennis means to indicate is the appearance of professionalism. (i.e. I know some very smart people who cuss all day long but have the social skills of a rabid badger)

Mark  | Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |  04:10 PM

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I find that a few well placed curse words can add emphasis to my priorities and express my dissatisfaction with substandard performance much more succinctly and poetically than something like, "Golly gee, I sure wish you'd get this action out of your in box and into your out box and add some value to it in the process." And anyone who doesn't agree with me can kiss my a**.

Advocator  | Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |  04:04 PM

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What an unfortunate article! When I was in the fourth grade, I remember my teacher saying, "You must not be very smart if you can't think of another word to use instead of cursing." Right at that moment, I determined that I would never give anyone an opportunity to think that I was not smart because of my language. It is a shame that military officers, civilian managers, and senior executives have to stoop to using foul language to "express their feelings" and "develop social relationships". I say we need leaders that we can look up to and follow, knowing that they are intelligent and worthy of their position.

Dennis  | Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |  01:06 PM

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