General Chat

Kate Moss told a reporter to .... off, which immediately makes her a bad woman in my old fashioned eyes. I don,t like swearing at all and because of my age, particularly from a woman. The thought does occur though, that there is a gradual acceptance in the country due to much usage, and it can be argued that a swear word is simply another adjective. Views please. Happy days

people who swear , in my opinion, are people who have nothing intelligent to say! my 'pet hate' is hearing yougsters (13 ..14 or so) shouting at each other to 'F * off '- they seem to think it makes them look tough. .....A bit like he 12 year old having a crafty fag that blushes when you glower at him! Jess x

Hello Harry I think swearing does matter, i find it very sad to hear so much of it in the high street, especially when the majority of it comes from youngsters. It shows a lack of control and poor English skills when F*** (or similar!!) is used every other word. I try not to swear, and certainly not in polite company or in front of children, but when you are surrounded by it on a daily basis it does creep in almost without you noticing. I am no angel and have been known to swear when i have been angry, and i always regret it afterwards. Yvette

Swearing in my eyes is acceptable when it is used by an adult, and in the right situation, Kate Moss was obviously hacked off with the reporter possibly in her face and as she is human, retaliated. What I do dislike is Children swearing Adults using swear words in every day language Example 'That cake was Effin delicious....did you see that effin jam in it ?...effing (name) ate two.' And so forth. Alough I admit to occasionaly slipping a swear word out in front of the kids (for whatever reason...there are many) I always apologise and they know about swear words being 'Adult words' and have never repeated them. Elaine x

Harry, I can recall a time when even the odd 'bl**dy' was considered shocking, but with the gradual relaxation of censorship of film, TV and the Press, taboos were removed from worse and worse language. I can't bear it when I meet people who seem unable to speak without littering what they say with unnecessary expletives, but I hold my hands up to being guilty in certain circumstances. I must admit, I never swore at all until I got married the first time. Plenty to make a parson swear then! CB >|<

i think It does matter, people swear for no reason, I think in certain circumstances we are all capable of using the odd profanity when pushed, but to use it in everyday life to me just shows ignorance and lack of volcabulary. Roxanne:-)))) who does swear occasionally!

I was brought up not to swear at all (but obviously did as a rebellious teenager) and still won't when I'm in my Mum's company. I do swear at home - but do make a consciuos effort not to do it so much, but when I'm angry I'm afraid they just come pooring out. My Husband was brought up very differently and I cringe when he's on the phone to his Mum and using the 'f' word and such like. I think it comes down to respect - respect for how other people feel about swear words. I know my Mum hates it so I would never do it in front of her, I don't like doing it in public (or in earshot of anyone anyway) and I certainly don't agree with it in front of children - my Husband has an 11 year old son who comes to visit for holidays and I tell my Husband off for swearing in front of him - it just feels inappropriate. And yes I too hate hearing kids swear - they think they're being so big and clever yet they look the opposite. I would say that my language depends on the company I am with - if everyone else is using swear words then it so easily slips into your own vocabulary. Kaye x

I think some people have always sworn, but it seems to be more prevalent now, and the words have got stronger. The F-word is used all over the place now. I am quite sure I never heard it when I was a kid. Bl**dy was the strongest word my dad used and we never repeated it. I think this is a shame on two counts a) people use swearing in place of adjectives or nouns which shows a paucity of vocabulary b) if you really wanted to shock someone, there are no longer any words with which to do so. nell

When I was younger and working on Building Sites there was a lot of swearing going on, but I and my workmates did not take that language home. I still cringe when I hear women and small children using the F word in ordinary conversation, although I must agree that there are times when 'Go away' just isn't strong enough.

Thanks to all you girls for your interest. Jim, Glad i,m not alone with females swearing. Think our generation had women on a higher plane and to me, to listen to a fish-wife demeans womanhood. (although I do understand the use of oaths under pressure ) Happy days.

I don't like swearing I think my Nan used to say only people with a lack of vocabulary have to resort to it. Where I live it's like everyone swears its seen as cool, just imagine Bob Geldof by a couple of million :-( There is a time and a place and its not really everywhere at anytime. Think its getting out of hand. Pat x

Yes, it can be intolerable and offensive, I never swore in front of my parents because I was scared to and also as I got older, out of respect, neither of them swore. In fact I was a married woman the first time I did swear and I felt very guilty about it. There is no real need for constant swearing Janetx

im the opposite to everyone here i swear a fair amount the only time i dont is wen at work although i do wen on my breaks i dont care if people around me swear i dont like it wen its every other word nor do i like it wen its used nastily against someone

Swearing doesn't matter, unless you don't know where and when to use it. As a soldiers daughter, I was brought on Army Camps, and NEVER heard a soldier swear! My father NEVER swore in front of us......I bet he did swear though. Deanna X

Bravely said Lou. I just wonder if in twenty years the previous arguments will no longer exist. As we now say 'this damn weather' the norm will be the same expression but with a word to replace damn - although I very much hope not. Deanna , bet he did swear, but good for him not showing it. happy days

I don't like swearing at all. Nothing sounds so rude in public, the words sound aggressive & demeaning. It is down to respect for our fellow human being, which is sadly disappearing. My mum (God rest her soul) would say it was 'common' !! (I think we're back to Harry's feelings there, ie 'ladies' never swore in those days!) That used to make me laugh that, we were born in a council house!! She didn't have airs & graces, it's just that was the way she was brought up. I will say though I never heard her swear, & that actually made me respect her even more!! :0) Joan xx

I don't agree with swearing, but it is an every day thing now which is a bit to much at times, there is no need for expletives to be used as every other word as it is, i am guilty of it, but not to the extent that is used, mine is usually sh*t and b****cks ( i apologize for that), but i am being honest. I have posted jokes on here with such language, but they are from other places and not mine,it is in context with the subject, not much of an excuse, but it does work with some jokes, but not all. I hope that i have explained myself. Micheal.

I detest swearing of any kind and find it very insulting. By that i mean the foul language that most young people seem to find the nom these days. My husband and sons go to football matches so i surpose they hear it and probbley use on accasion, but i never hear them they have respect. In the dim and distant past when hubby and i were young iam afraid he has decked a few people for useing bad languge in front of me and while i don't think that's the answer, i think if more people complained about it it might lesson. Gill Ranting lol

interesting development in social acceptance.......if you watch DEADWOOD on Sky,with Ian mcshane (lovejoy) there has been a concerted effort to use the F word as many times as possible-I'm quite loose with my tongue,and yes it has become a state of lazy vocab,but i cannot listen to this programme without feeling nausceous-its over the top,and has the same effect on me when watching a very bad boxing match with a referee who just lets the fighters beat each other until they drop dead.

I too hate to hear young people use swear words in general conversation, especially very small children which shows that at least some are learning the words at home! To say it is OK for adults and not children is a strange conception because that is telling them that when they reach maturity it’s OK to swear. I swear when angry, when other words just don’t show my feelings, after all the F word is in the dictionary!! I probably swear more now than when I was in England, unfortunately that is a downside here; quite a lot of swearing in natural conversation….. but then it was getting like that in England. Jacquie xxxx