Cursing in posts: what constitutes a potty-mouth?
As I venture into this blogging world, navigating my way and finding my voice, I have recently found myself contemplating the use of profanity in posts and public profiles. Is it ever acceptable for a professional to use a crass word in an online space that is forever out there for the world to see? Or would it be better left for the Howard Sterns, the Chris Rocks and the Khloe Kardashions?
Personally, I am okay with sprinkling in a colorful word or two, if it is done tactfully. For instance, I try to avoid online swearing in times of anger, I don’t direct it towards people, and I contemplate other adjectives that could also get my point across. I justify my potty-mouth by saying that people don’t want to interact with a robot who has carefully calculated each word and sounds like a well-crafted PR pitch. They want someone with personality, who they can relate to and who is multidimensional. And, because sometimes it is just simply the best way to get the point across and bring humor into the mix.
My loving father, however, scolds me for my use of online swearing. Concerned about my online reputation he tells me that it is “nasty language to put on the World Wide Web.” His point is sound. And the truth is anyone can read my blog and form an opinion about who they think I am – my boss, my Grandma (okay, maybe not Grandma, but Aunts and Uncles). My future employers’ first impressions for the remainder of my career (did I mention I’m only 24) will be largely determined by a Google search. It is likely that someone, at some point, will look at my work and have the same reaction as my dad, feel it is unnecessary and vulgar.
Rather than simply write Dad off as an out-of-touch Boomer who doesn’t understand us Millennials, I decided to bring the question to you. All you SM and PR experts, gurus and practitioners. You bloggers and seasoned professionals. What is your online curse-word policy?
Photo credit: Solidstate on Flickr
Aaron:
January 21st, 2010 at 9:18 am
For me, I’m not a fan. There are plenty of words to be used without going to the shock or over the top card. It’s truly only for effect. “look at me! I’m swearing!”
If it’s cool to drop the F bomb in a tweet, blog post or Facebook wall, then I’ll stay with your Dad’s camp. I’m 35, so maybe I’m more boomer than hipster. Good post/question.
Robert:
January 21st, 2010 at 9:41 am
I feel the posting of swearwords show an ill thought out reply [see example below] and a person that has trouble controlling their emotions and feelings. On the other hand [you have 5 fingers] some jokes, when profanity is left out, miss the mark. If one chooses to cuss, then do it around people that you know won’t be offended but not for the whole world to see.
Instead of calling someone a ‘fat pig!’ I like the tort, ‘You look like you were poured into your clothes and forgot to say ‘when!’
Thanks for the blog
Natalie:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:58 am
I COMPLETELY agree with both Aaron and Robert that swearwords are often used by lazy people who do not posses enough creativity to think of other ways to express their feelings. And, that there is a very fine line of overuse that can easily be crossed.
However, I must bring up the tweet that inspired this post. I was at my regular gym a few days after the New Year. I checked into the location on Foursquare and added my own commentary, “It’s a damn shit-show in here.” Anyone who visits a gym regularly can picture the chaos that was happening as the hoards of people determined to make 2010 the year they get into shape, invaded my workout space. I’m just not convinced writing “It’s extremely chaotic in here” would have accurately portrayed my experience.
Paul DeBettignies | MN Headhunter:
January 21st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I am knocking on the door of 40. I do use the infrequent cuss word, usually saved for sports and politicians. I am well aware that some may question me on this but there is a huge leap from “(enter any words) Yankees” to Howard Stern.
“It is likely that someone, at some point, will look at my work and have the same reaction as my dad, feel it is unnecessary and vulgar.”
I have a reply to that someone but I will be polite and not cuss on your site.
Yes, we need to be thinking about the image we are portraying. Yes, I have friends who question me on this. Yes, I have career coaches who think at times I am a bad example.
While I get where they are coming from we are humans with emotions that are expressed.
David Erickson:
January 21st, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I think the only time I really use swear words online is when I use them to set a certain tone; very much like your gym example.
I will also use swear words when passing along content from another source, if that source used a profanity.
e-Strategy Internet Marketing Blog:
January 25th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Minnesota Monday – Communications Bloggers Posts From Last Week…
Interesting posts from Minnesota communications bloggers for the week ending 1/24/10…….
Alesia Benson:
January 30th, 2010 at 6:01 am
My feelings are that most Millennials appear to think, “I type the way I talk and I talk the way I act. If you don’t like it, f- you!” I personally believe it is a sign of the overall lack of cultural respect toward others with the “prim and proper” mentality of the past being thrown out the window, like those who shamelessely throw their McDonald’s bags out on the side of the freeway. What happened to all the other words in the dictionary that can be used to describe the way you feel? Is the shift-F7 key not helping all the Millennials learn different ways to speak? Though the occasional cuss word has its sweat and dear place of times to use, I do not feel it should be the norm out of any mouth, blog or commentary.