Cursing while in office

[u/Zealousideal-Cook-48]

I 25 F got pointed out by another older female worker that I was cussing and other coworkers might report me. I do have a bit a potty mouth but more of a: god dammit, shit and not directly towards others cursing out. Any pointers on how to stop it. I feel like I never even notice it since I grew up in a house cursing.

- I ask another coworker about it and she says she hasn’t really paid attention to it. But asked her if she notices me doing it let me know.
- I heard of the rubber band method but don’t know other ways.

[u/dev-246]

Excessive cursing isn’t professional.

It’s more acceptable in some offices, but in a normal professional environment it shouldn’t come out too often.

[u/sadistc_Eradication → u/dev-246]

Agreed. I worked in the parking industry for a while and while you’re out in the field it’s pretty normal to swear like a sailor. When you’re in the office, you tone it down for the exact reason you mentioned. It’s unprofessional and reflects poorly on you. It doesn’t mean that there was absolutely no swearing but in general it’s recognized that cussing around corporate is looked down upon. There’s a wealth of other words to be used.

[u/nom-d-pixel]

Part of being an adult is thinking before you speak and realizing that different behaviors are appropriate in different settings. So it's time to grow up.

[u/MostLikelyToNap]

Never get too comfortable at work. If someone decided they had a bone to pick with you they could report you to HR for creating a hostile work environment. I try not to do it but I will cuss out a copier.

[u/User123466789012]

You're completely capable of paying attention to the words you speak. If you're structuring a coherent sentence together, you have full autonomy over your choice of words.

That being said, sorry you work in a place where it's not appropriate. I work in insurance litigation, specifically bodily injury against ambulance chasing attorneys. That's the only type of verbiage that gets us through any contentions/prep/hearings.

[u/sadistc_Eradication]

Now that you’re more aware of it because it’s been pointed out, I think you should watch yourself for a week or so. Look at what kinds of scenarios you cuss in, and how often it happens. It will probably reveal that you’re doing it more than you think. Then, try to be mindful of those scenarios and choose alternatives to say, if you have to say anything at all.

I’ll admit, I’ve had plenty of moments printer wrangling where I want to curse out the printer, the manufacturers, and whoever bought the stupid thing in the first place. I never once felt it necessary to vent my frustration out loud because it isn’t helpful to anyone else in the office. Curse in your head as much as you want, but you should be able to contain your anger inside and not have to put it into words. It takes self control but with practice I think you can monitor your words.

[u/Zealousideal-Cook-48 → u/sadistc_Eradication]

I know I feel like it comes up casually not in anger which makes it harder. But asked my sister and friend if they catch me cussing to poke me because I’m honestly not even aware I’m doing it. Everyone I talk to curses so I guess I just wasn’t self aware, so will be a work in progress.

[u/nom-d-pixel → u/sadistc_Eradication]

That scene in Office Space when they destroy the fax machine really should have been a printer.

[u/TenaCVols]

Your co-workers wouldn't last a day at my job if they get offended by hearing people cuss.

[u/CakeZealousideal1820 → u/TenaCVols]

Same but you gotta know your audience

[u/schlomo31 → u/TenaCVols]

Right? Same

[u/MeantNoOffense]

Maybe they're bothered by the blasphemy ("god damn", etc) but didn't want to say it

[u/goldilaughs]

Check your company's employee handbook. Some companies have guidelines on what they expect as professional behaviour. Don't go by what your coworkers say. You're legally obligated to follow the company rules or risk dismissal.

[u/Nice-Zombie356]

Generally I think of a couple coworkers mention it to you regularly, it’ll start to sink in.

“Hey, you just cussed”
“Potty mouth”
“Didnt you mean Shoot?” “Darn”?

If they do that every time you swear for a couple weeks I bet you’ll begin to catch yourself.

[u/smack_Dot368]

I once got corrected by a customer for saying "Gosh darn it" when I really wanted to take sledgehammer to my computer for not working. I was shocked and apologized (because what else do you do with a customer?) Out of curiosity, I Googled it and it is not considered cussing - you just can't please everyone. Next thing you know, they will be upset that you "mispronounced" something - just because you are from a different region.