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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

people swearing

80 replies

starshaker · 27/10/2011 14:03

AIBU to think that swearing just lowers peoples opinion of you. I just dont get the whole swearing just to fill out a sentence thing. Is it just me?

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 27/10/2011 14:03

Yes it bloody is you. Next!

Fairyloo · 27/10/2011 14:04

I fucking can't help it

PosiesOfPoison · 27/10/2011 14:05

No, sometimes a well timed swearword can be exquisite.

worraliberty · 27/10/2011 14:06

Swearing's ok in certain circumstances I think

But if someone (like my ex FIL) literally can't get a sentence out without swearing, I think it shows total ignorance.

He used to look at my kids and say 'Oops!' (like that made a difference) and then continue to swear like a trooper.

duvetdayplease · 27/10/2011 14:06

YABU. I think what you meant to put was 'swearing lowers my opinion of other people'.

I quite like sweary words in the right context. I have grown out of my teenage phase of swearing in totally inappropriate settings though (cringe cringe at some hideous memories).

ImperialBlether · 27/10/2011 14:10

Fairylou, sorry to be pedantic, but shouldn't that be "I can't fucking help it?" Otherwise, it's a split infinitive, isn't it?

hanaka88 · 27/10/2011 14:11

I hate hate hate it in front of kids. My ASD son is obsessed with 'you little (insert insulting word here)'

Because he heard 'you little idiot' on a cartoon.

When he heard the word fuck 'you little fuck' being constantly repeated wasn't so bad as it makes no sense.

But he recently overheard the word 'shit' in the park.

Yeh

'you little shit' is horrendous. It sounds like he is called that at home Sad

ScaredBear · 27/10/2011 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IndigoSunshine · 27/10/2011 14:15

In official circumstances... yes, swearing can make people appear more ignorant. I avoid using swear words if I am around people I don't know or in an establishment where it might not be acceptable.

Around family and friends (except DS) I often do swear. But that's because I'm comfortable with it.

Original poster
starshaker · 27/10/2011 14:18

Worraliberty that's what I'm talking about. People who cant complete a sentence without swearing and those who use it in every day conversation with their children. Yes there are times that its really the only word that covers it (like when i found out i was having twins the only word that left my mouth was fuuuuuuuuuck". But then you get people who swear just for the sake of it and swearing at their children, personally i really dont like it. I do realise that its my personal opinion but just wondered if anybody else felt the same.

OP posts:
omydarlin · 27/10/2011 14:35

I hate hearing adults swear at their children too. Will never forget hearing a mother say to her child 'for foucks sake you are really getting on my tits today ' . Little girl can't have been more than 3 years old. I don't care how rubbish your life is swearing with aggression towards a child is not on.

ShirleyKnot · 27/10/2011 14:37

I think it's habit forming as well. I work in a very sweary place and it definitely has rubbed off on me.

I am the sweariest person I know, it doesn't make me ignorant or horrible or a wicked creature.

TiggyD · 27/10/2011 14:41

The more you swear the less it counts. I very rarely swear. I work with children so have to totally avoid it at work. It's carried on in my private life too. As a result when I swear around my friends they genuinely stop what they're doing and stare at me.

tobyrat · 27/10/2011 14:45

I quite enjoy an appropriate swearword and if people lower their opinion of me as a result, that's fine.

Grown adults who blanche at the mention of 'shit' or similar (obviously I am excluding situations involving small children) can look forward to me lowering my opinion of them.

lesley33 · 27/10/2011 14:48

I'm not keen on swearing either, so I agree. Although I think it does rub off. Apart from in extreme circumstances, the only time I swear is if I spend a lot of time with someone else who does. Then I end up swearing and not even realising until I have said it!

omydarlin · 27/10/2011 14:56

I hate hearing adults swear at their children too. Will never forget hearing a mother say to her child 'for foucks sake you are really getting on my tits today ' . Little girl can't have been more than 3 years old. I don't care how rubbish your life is swearing with aggression towards a child is not on.

Hullygully · 27/10/2011 15:00

I have two childless friends who swear terribly. Literally terribly. The dc have always been fascinated.

I'm not sure what the point is.

ByTheWay1 · 27/10/2011 15:02

I must admit I hate the traditional swearwords especially in front of the kids - but find since having kids we have made up our own anyhow..

"Oh sugary walnuts" if a family fave!!

cat64 · 27/10/2011 15:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ShirleyKnot · 27/10/2011 15:13

What effect do you think swearwords have on "society"?

Hullygully · 27/10/2011 15:17

They coarsen and cheapen it, Shirl.

Coarsen and Cheapen.

lucymr · 27/10/2011 15:19

I do agree with the OP - I hate it when people say things like "do you wanna come to the f#ing pub?" etc etc . The f word is used as a filler for no reason and this really does make people sound stupid in my opinion. However I'm not against swearing as a rule - sometimes the situation calls for it and I do swear myself but only when it's relevant and I hate it in front of children. I would hate to hear my young child swear.

CreamolaFoamless · 27/10/2011 15:21

I don't mind it in real life if it is used correctly, but it bugs the knickers off me in this forum when people chuck in a swear word just to 'look cool'

they must be sad fuckers

FantasticVoyage · 27/10/2011 15:25

There's a time and a place for it.

It particularly annoys me when people swear in earshot of DD.

ShirleyKnot · 27/10/2011 15:27

uh. I think Creamola is being ironic, but I'm not entirely sure.