to think that the word 'unprofessional' is often used incorrectly?

[OrmIrian]

"adjective below or contrary to the standards expected in a particular profession"

But it is always being used in situations where there is no profession as such. IE a shop manager or a florist for example cannot officially be unprofessional for example. But more importantly (and less pedantically) than that, it seems to have been extended to cover anything that the user of the word doesn't happen to like. For example a shop assistant who talks to someone else whilst serving a customer is 'unprofessional', whereast IMO the relevant and perfectly adequate word is 'rude'.

profession: "a paid occupation, esp. one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification : his chosen profession of teaching | a lawyer by profession."

Okay, so not prolonged training necessarily, but how is anything in a customer service role not a paid occupation?

Having worked 7 years in customer service roles, it really does nark me when people get the basics wrong, especially as they ARE easy to get right. I would call them unprofessional with no hesitation.

YABU.

I suppose you are correct but Yabu as it's petty imo.

Well I don't think it is petty. Because 'unprofessional' suggests something serious to me - as in 'unprofessional conduct' or breaking patient confidentiality for example.

But that's not what either of the dictionary definitions say? Just "below or contrary to the standards expected" - I do think there's a basic standard of service that you should be able to expect as a customer.

according to rubberduck's definition which is the same as the one in my dictionary, a profession can be taken to mean any kind of job, basically.

So YABU, sorry!!

(Incidentally, the phrase I would look for to imply something serious would be 'professional misconduct'.)

well these days just about any jobs needs formal qualifications and training - so agree with Rubber.

And lets not forget that if you have already have "relevant" degree - getting into teaching isn't that much of a prolonged process any more

Ok so no-one here beleives there are real professions anymore? So anyone who passes any kind of work-based course is professional? Am I professional then? I am a systems analyst and software developer. I have a degree but it's in archaeology. I have done some IT courses but nothing more than a week or so. I don't think I am professional. Oh and let's not forget the H&S course I did and the food hygiene one.

And anyway the overuse of the word makes it increasingly meaningless. If anyone can be unprofessional by mildly annoying a customer, what do we use when a dr screws a patient for example, or a lawyer tell details of a client's divorce to a third party?

It's an example of word inflation. Like 'stunning' and 'tragedy. There are words for every occasion and eventuality, but people tend to over apply the more dramatic serious words and thus downgrade their meaning.

.

So, what about "the oldest profession in the world?"

What training do you need for that?

Yes exactly rubberduck - I already mentioned that one which tends to support my argument I think. If you can have professional misconduct only for the traditional professions, that tends to imply the word 'professional' applies to them and them alone.

clam - I really wouldn't know

and lets not forget gross misconduct

But that's only for grocers.

Oh I'm so with you on this one OrmIrian, so much so that I would love to sit with you and dwell at length on it.

By the same token, overuse of word 'professional' gets right on my tits.
Some oik turns up on time
'Ooooh, he is so professional'.

Often applied to actors.
(Such a demanding profession, that.)

eh???

No, I think professional misconduct could be used outside "traditional" professions too. Given the dictionary definition of professional. Again, serious connotations too... like .. I dunno... I think this would probably fit

No, you didn't mention that one. You used 'unprofessional conduct' which isn't quite the same thing, being pedantic

I do think the idea of 'traditional' professions is a little outdated now though, and clearly not supported by the dictionary definition.

I'm also kind of concerned that you think you couldn't act unprofessionally as a result...

Aha! A kindred spirit at last....

Also wearing a suit does not a professional make.

oh I GET it!

Some people still think that only certain occupations are "worthy" ones - everything else is for those that "can't make" it in a "decent" job

You might not act unprofessionally but you could act incompetently, inefficiently, rudely, corruptly, lazily, unpuntually.... there are hosts of ways in which you can act in a less than ideal manner is a job. Unprofessional is not neccessarily the word for all of those.

I don't think that awassail. Otherwise I am haven't got a decent job. And I think I do. But I am not a 'professional'.

Actors are actually used as an example in my dictionary too, so you'd hate that moondog

noun
a person engaged or qualified in a profession: professionals such as lawyers and surveyors.
a person engaged in a specified activity, esp. a sport or branch of the performing arts, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
a person competent or skilled in a particular activity: she was a real professional on stage.

The other one is people who describe themselves as

'fully trained' or 'fully qualified'

My reply is usually
'What, as opposed to a half trained one?' (complete with Roger Moore eyebrow)

I find the assertion that one is 'trained/professional/qualified' is in inverse proportion to said individuals intelligence or status.

Thus, overused by beauticians, reiki healers, aromatherapists and the like.

(hence, I am still an amateur writer as I am as yet unpublished, but my writing buddy who has many paid credits to her name, is a professional - neither of us has had years of training)

What dictionary are you using rubberduck? Tis more generous than mine