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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not like people swearing in public?

102 replies

carlajean · 30/07/2014 19:34

We had lunch outside a pub today. There were three guys at the only other table, which was very close to ours, and there was a fair amount of 'fucking this' and 'fucking that' going on. It was just me and my partner, no children, but I feel uncomfortable when people do this, and it spoilt what was otherwise a nice meal.
I swear myself, but not in those circumstances.
Perhaps we should have said something- but we didn't because we didn't know how they'd react.
Aibu to not like this, and would you have challenged them?

OP posts:
Wishfulmakeupping · 30/07/2014 19:36

I hate it too I find it intimidating even if its not got anything to do with me. My neighbours have been out in their garden a lot during the nice weather and every other word is a swear word, I swear myself but not constantly and not shouting it in the middle if the street

CatKisser · 30/07/2014 19:37

Well, it's a pub so surely not entirely unexpected that people will be swearing?
I agree when it's every other word though. Just makes people look common. Grin

punygod · 30/07/2014 19:38

Adults sitting outside a pub?

Swearing will happen. I suggest you don't go to pubs if you don't want to hear swearing.

it's a good job you didn't follow me round Go Ape a few days ago Blush

choochootrain1 · 30/07/2014 19:40

Yanbu not to like it but yabu not to expect it in that setting...

dawndonnaagain · 30/07/2014 19:46

I swear like a trooper. I am anything but common.

Smilesandpiles · 30/07/2014 19:57

I just don't like people. Let alone that crap they say.

henrysmate · 30/07/2014 20:01

In a play park, yes, you'd have a point. In a pub you're not really on strong ground, it's an adult place. YABU.

Freckletoes · 30/07/2014 20:03

I too swear like a trooper but don't out in a pub or restaurant. Not necessary!

Namechangearoonie123 · 30/07/2014 20:04

I swear lots.

But not in public, I'm just not scumbaggy enough

OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 30/07/2014 20:06

There's the difference between the odd expletive and people that fucking use the fucking word fucking as a fucking adjective though

londonrach · 30/07/2014 20:06

I hate this. Just think it shows the person has limited words... Grin

whatshallwedo · 30/07/2014 20:22

I hate hearing people swear in public mainly because dd aged 2 is likely to repeat what she hears.

I also wouldn't have a problem asking someone to tone down their language if we were in a family friendly place. A pub however, I would just move is away from them.

CarryOnDancing · 30/07/2014 20:25

Hmm I don't know, MIL and FIL use flippin as every other word-even when talking about something positive - and even without children around. I think I'd rather they just used the proper word like adults!

CarryOnDancing · 30/07/2014 20:25

Note the lack of a "g" on "flippin" too. Argh drives me fucking mad!!

Nanny0gg · 30/07/2014 20:26

Just because they're adults sitting outside a pub it doesn't necessarily follow that there has to be swearing.

Not that long ago, language would be tempered due to the setting and the audience.

It's sad that's no longer the case.

Bowlersarm · 30/07/2014 20:27

I hardly ever swear.

You would be very unreasonable to pull them up on it.

Bowlersarm · 30/07/2014 20:28

It's nothing to do with being 'common'.

Nanny0gg · 30/07/2014 20:29

Hmm I don't know, MIL and FIL use flippin as every other word-even when talking about something positive - and even without children around. I think I'd rather they just used the proper word like adults!

I don't know if your in-laws are the same age as me, but 'flippin' ' (without the 'g') was a very common word used by most adults. It wasn't only used as a euphemism for 'fucking'.

riverboat1 · 30/07/2014 20:29

YANBU, I don't like it either. I swear but not at length and loudly in public. But I don't think it's really something that you would be justified in pulling them up on. Or that you'd be likely to get an obedient reaction if you did.

CarryOnDancing · 30/07/2014 20:50

Ooo Nanny, so I may have been misinterpreting the IL's for all this time?
What does it mean when it's not a euphemism? Please don't tell me it means "amazing" or something when I've been silently judging them!

SlicedAndDiced · 30/07/2014 20:51

I don't like it.

Obviously I'm a huge hypocrite because I do it (but in private, never in front of kids etc.)

Have you tried a more, ahem, up market pub?

Mintyy · 30/07/2014 20:52

Yanbu. I don't mind swearing, quite often do it myself, but people who swear all the time, loudly and in public are tossers.

dawndonnaagain · 30/07/2014 22:15

Have you tried a more, ahem, up market pub?
That would be the one where you'd get twice the swearing at twice the volume.

Nanny0gg · 30/07/2014 22:20

No Carryon you use it instead of saying something stronger, usually because you'd never dream of saying something stronger.

So it's a 'real' word IYSWIM.

I was never allowed to use it as a child!!

sweetnessandlite · 30/07/2014 22:23

Depends on the pub.
If it's a real spit n sawdust type place then you're gonna hear swearing. Lots.
But having lunch in the garden outside a pub? Swearing not appropriate.