Obviously, we should all avoid bad words at all costs. I've always said that if you really want to curse, it's okay as long as it's in front of other people who don't mind hearing bad words. I think that bad words can also be acceptable in very specific situations when you want to make a point. All of my friends know that I can't stand cursing, so they know that if I do say an objectionable word, they know I'm really angry or trying to underscore something. When you don't ever use bad words and you suddenly use one, people will understand that you're trying to make a point.
I'm not trying to condone using bad words while you're angry or anything like that, but I think it's just an interesting point to note.
"I've always said that if you really want to curse, it's okay as long as it's in front of other people who don't mind hearing bad words."
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily. For example, some people may swear all the time, and thus not realize how bad it is, but it's precisely THESE people who could use your calm example of not swearing.
"I think that bad words can also be acceptable in very specific situations when you want to make a point."
So under what conditions is swearing/cursing good/beneficial? Should one swear when you are justified and perhaps linguistically need to swear to effectively make a point EVEN WHEN the listener is against swearing? If not, why should their preference trump your specific need?
You bring up some valid points that I never thought about. In my opinion, if it's a choice between making sure you only curse in front of Emily, who doesn't mind it, or just curse indiscriminately, I'd rather the former.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make a point and make sure people are listening, a bad word will always help! I don't condone this, but it works when you need it to.