[mbeezier]

I'm transitioning from military to civilian life. I grew up in a middle class environment where cussing wasn't really done (with the exception of close buds). Call it WASP or whatever but that's how it was.

So, as you probably guessed, it was a shock for me to be around cussing in the military. Now I cuss like a sailor and it doesn't even occur to me when I'm using those words.

Not cussing seems unnatural to me. I know I should obviously tone it down at job interviews but should I eradicate cussing from most/all areas of my life?

[Basil Ransom]

For the most part, yes. There are times when it's fine, but many when it's not. It's easier to concentrate on eradicating it entirely first.

Frequent cursing is taken as gauche, plebeian and a poor substitute for being articulate. Curse a lot, and people may think you are rude, dumb and low class. Bitch about that all you like, but that's the reality. And even people who curse won't respect you less if you minimize the cursing.

[Kvothe]

I think context is always important.

[vinman]

You have to pretend that you're talking to children. When you're talking to children you won't say things like "cunt' or "cum dumpster". I've always worked extra hard to use proper words in front of older ladies, and small kids. It's my southern Baptist upbringing. After almost 9 years in the U.S. Army Infantry my mouth was a fetid sewer. I really had to slow down my thought process and deliberately think of words to use. Good luck.....and shit.

[Dr. Howard]

It does take a while to re-adjust. I'm sure its the same way with the oil fields guys as it was for forestry crews that we'd have to remember to check our language when we came back into town. I eventually dropped the cursing almost entirely as the field guys were more forgiving of not cursing than the retail manager when I was asked to leave a chick fil a because I was telling a story about labia in an outdoor voice. After that I found that not cursing also made it more pointed when I did. Being known as the guy on the crew that didn't swear raised eyebrows when i would curse....that I must be genuinely pissed off at something.

[Cr33pin]

Its a hard habit to break. A few months ago I was on a fishing trip and was reminded that I wanted to cut back on my cursing by listening to a construction worker outside my hotel room talking on the phone. He said fuck about 3 times in every sentence a long with all the other colorful words one can say... He sounds like a super trashy retard. After that I try to make it a point not to curse unless necessary. Its a uphill battle.

[Goldmund]

I truly enjoy letting out a well timed "fuck".

But I really don't like it when girls curse, I make fun of them and tell them to 'be a classy lady around me". Of course the American girls put up a fight and curse even more, but the Euros will usually check themselves after that. Power move.

[Baldwin81]

At various points in my adult life I've been lower, middle, and upper-class in the US.

Lower class curses like sailors sans filter.

Middle class doesn't curse at all and view themselves as "classy."

Upper class curses every bit as much as the lower class but they have filter based on situations. Show me a rich dude who's mad and you've got an R-rated movie on your hands. The difference is that rich guy will then take a phone call mid-rage from his little nephew or sister-in-law and be sweet as pie. Easier said than done (like anything related to becoming upper-class), but learn how to filter.... It will come in time if you actively work at it.

[Brodiaga]

I use swear words with other guys, but I've learned from experience that girls who use swear words often are not suitable for long term relationships.

[Fitzgerald]

If a word is good enough for a sailor, it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson

[The Lizard of Oz]

(07-07-2014 06:03 PM)Baldwin81 Wrote:  

At various points in my adult life I've been lower, middle, and upper-class in the US.

Lower class curses like sailors sans filter.

Middle class doesn't curse at all and view themselves as "classy."

Upper class curses every bit as much as the lower class but they have filter based on situations. Show me a rich dude who's mad and you've got an R-rated movie on your hands. The difference is that rich guy will then take a phone call mid-rage from his little nephew or sister-in-law and be sweet as pie. Easier said than done (like anything related to becoming upper-class), but learn how to filter.... It will come in time if you actively work at it.

Well observed.

Generally, there is a great deal more prudishness in the middle class than in either the lower or upper classes. For example, there was a discussion in a thread not long ago about how much a young girl would be shamed back in her home town if it became known that she was in porn. The answer is that she could get away with it if she was either lower class or upper class, but not middle class small town/suburban America.

[Basil Ransom]

Ha Lizard's been reading some Fussell...

"Upper class curses every bit as much as the lower class but they have filter based on situations."

You got about ten words out until you contradicted yourself. Lower class people who curse often cannot help cursing, while upper class people can deploy it strategically, and do. The difference is one can control it, the other can't, and that matters hugely in conducting one's affairs effectively.

[Suits]

(07-07-2014 06:03 PM)Baldwin81 Wrote:  

Middle class doesn't curse at all and view themselves as "classy."

I guess that makes me middle class.

[Baldwin81]

(07-07-2014 07:53 PM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  

Ha Lizard's been reading some Fussell...

"Upper class curses every bit as much as the lower class but they have filter based on situations."

You got about ten words out until you contradicted yourself. Lower class people who curse often cannot help cursing, while upper class people can deploy it strategically, and do. The difference is one can control it, the other can't, and that matters hugely in conducting one's affairs effectively.

Meant to write... "but they have a filter based on situations." Then follow-up with the example of the rich guy in a rage pausing for a call and being friendly. I might be dense this morning but I'm not sure where the contradiction lies...

I do agree with what you wrote 100%.

[Oz.]

I was looking for this thread, been trying pretty hard myself from cursing but all i've accomplished is saying fuck less times in a sentence

[Cr33pin]

(10-22-2015 09:24 PM)Oz. Wrote:  

I was looking for this thread, been trying pretty hard myself from cursing but all i've accomplished is saying fuck less times in a sentence

Fucking A man... fucking proud of you

[iop890]

I just try to curse infrequently enough that when I do it actually adds emphasis to what I'm saying.

[Paracelsus]

The fuck is this thread about?

[Sombro]

I always thought being able to contextualize one's language was a common sense, adult thing, but I guess it just betrays my middle class roots.

Chicks who overtly cuss are a turnoff. They're either lazy thinkers or try-hards.
Personally, I like a dirty whore mouth relegated to the bedroom, thank you.

[teh_skeeze]

Fuck is the state word of NJ, so this thread is fucking disappointing. That said, I probably swear too much. Since I work in the trucking industry, it doesn't fucking matter. I have a decent filter as long as I don't drink too fucking much. My problem is I'm too loud. I chalk it up to overcompensating because I'm a fucking introvert.

[El Chinito loco]

(07-07-2014 03:47 PM)mbeezier Wrote:  

I'm transitioning from military to civilian life. I grew up in a middle class environment where cussing wasn't really done (with the exception of close buds). Call it WASP or whatever but that's how it was.

So, as you probably guessed, it was a shock for me to be around cussing in the military. Now I cuss like a sailor and it doesn't even occur to me when I'm using those words.

Not cussing seems unnatural to me. I know I should obviously tone it down at job interviews but should I eradicate cussing from most/all areas of my life?

Do you dip also? Every military guy I know cusses and dips all day 24-7. This is the same for former enlisted as well as officers.

I see nothing wrong with any of it.

edit: damn didn't check the date. Thread necromancy.

[RoastBeefCurtains4Me]

My parents and extended family never cussed. I learned to cuss in first grade, and immediately learned you can cuss in some situations and not in others. It's not hard. Likewise, when I was a teenager, I had one circle of friends that partied and smoked pot, and another circle of work, family, and church where I was completely straight. I've always lived at least somewhat of a double life.

Even now, I say red pill things around some people, and keep that shit to myself around others.

[fokker]

I try not to swear around women and elders, but I've worked in a van and we swore quite a bit. I also swear in conversations with my friends sometimes.

[wi30]

I have a weird combination of swearing like a sailor while also being articulate. I've noticed it throws a lot of people off. The only time I really censor myself is around my nephew and nieces.

I agree with the middle class assessment Baldwin made last year. A couple buddies from high school ended up in office jobs and try to avoid saying anything offensive. Seems like an awful way to live. Hell, my current boss and I alternate between racist, sexist, and dead baby jokes most of the day. It sounds fucked up, but profanity is one of the main reasons I've avoided the blue pill life trajectory before finding Roosh and the red pill. My personal hell would be waking up in an Office Space scenario. Having to spout PC bullshit to the fat HR lady all day would leave me hollow. Another reason I've been planning my path to self employment.

[Oz.]

Fuck this shit I've tried and it's pointless I don't curse all day anyways so I can live with it