Re: OT: Profanity in the workplace

[Deborah Hemstreet <dvora -at- tech-challenged -dot- com>]

I followed this discussion with interest.

I'm not so sure this is totally off-topic. How should we as 
PROFESSIONALS behave in the workplace? I think this is the question. 
What should our language be in the workplace when we relate to our peers?

When I worked in Israel, I was stunned by how many people used F, GD, 
and JC as a regular part of their language. I learned that there are no 
cuss words in Hebrew per se. Since this is a "Holy" language, all the 
bad stuff was reserved for connotations in Hebrew, or blunt words taken 
from Arabic, English, and more recently, Russian.

As an extremely unusual Jewish person in the workplace, I found things 
like JC and GD extremely offensive. I did NOT make it a point to tell 
people this in front of others. However, if someone was in my office and 
said "JC" I would respond, "is Lord", and then continue with the 
discussion. If they said, "GD" I said "No thank you," and continued. And 
all other language, I would say, "Do is use this language when speaking 
with you?" They would answer "No" and I would respond, "Then please 
don't use it with me."

My colleagues treated me with the utmost of respect for my stand on 
these issues. Sometimes we got into discussions about my faith, but no 
one laughed at me.

When I returned to the US, I was astounded to discover that this same 
approach is considered unacceptable. Fortunately, I have not had many 
colleagues who talk this way... and these days, contracting from home, 
its a moot point. I think it comes down to respect. I am not going to 
try to educate my plummer in proper speech. I am not going to tell 
others that I think they are making poor choices in their style of 
communication. However, I see nothing wrong, in a professional setting 
for setting a standard and living by it.

As for those studies that say everyone feels better and is more 
comfortable when they cuss and swear at work. Just because they do does 
not make it right.

I am stunned that here in the US, I cannot speak out against Islam, but 
everyone can mock and scorn Christianity. I am stunned that people feel 
comfortable to say and laugh at JC and GD - but they will not say a word 
against the Koran or Shaira law (maybe spelled wrong but you get the 
idea). As professional technical communicators, whose job it is to 
COMMUNICATE, I am stunned that all of us are not more offended by the 
double standard in communication presented by political correctness.

Kat was offended by GD. I completely understand her reaction. The people 
listening, had they been more professional would have realized that this 
kind of language can stay in the locker room, and has no place in design 
reviews, code reviews, or business meetings. Asking for people to not 
use this language is not asking them to compromise on a religious or 
moral standard. It is asking for the same respect towards us, that they 
ask us to give them. How can I prove this? No one has ever demanded that 
anyone cuss or swear in order to get a good job done. Its not part of 
the job description!

Well, those are my thoughts on the issue.

Deborah
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