Swearing

[2sp_]

Working with the sheepies today I let out a string of oaths at one of the farm dogs which was hanging around at the gate and getting the sheep excited.

Little did I know that a employee (whom I cannot stand) was across the yard with her toddler.

I have apologised to the woman as I really don't like swearing in front of kids and am well known for not standing for it in front of my own.

Her reaction to my apology was that I shouldn't worry as the 2 year old has heard it all before...

I was stunned. I really do live a sheltered life. Is it quite normal for folk to swear in front of kids? Do you do it? Would it bother you if someone did it in front of your child?

[venator]

My father used to swear like a trooper, and I still avoid swearing.

The effect of this is that when I do swear, people take notice.

He smoked 80 Capstan Full Strength a day, too, and I never started smoking, either.

So perhaps we should swear and smoke in front of our children so as to immunise them.

(my daughter, now 26, doesn't smoke or swear. Furthermore, having seen her own oarents' example, she doesn't drink either!)

[1ozzy]

2 Ummmm....who doesn't swear when watching footy,,,,,at least a little bit.
I've always tried to instill this idea in my children, "There is a time and a place for everything", choose the time and the place wisely.

[1ozzy]

My apologies 2sp...I didn't answer any of your questions...just had a bit of a rant.
Is it quite normal for folk to swear in front of kids?
I don't think so, but sometimes it slips out and it depends on the kids themselves, ie age, background etc. Sometimes if I don't talk to them in "their language" my message has no effect, (I work with kids).
Do you do it?
Depends on the kids.
Would it bother you if someone did it in front of your child?
With a small child I would use the "negative" to try and teach them.
If their swearing was pointed at my child then I would "explode".
Working with "sheepies" and dogs.....well.....why wouldn't someone swear :-)

[pixie373]

2sp, are you sure she wasn't just trying to make you feel better? She probably saw how mortified you were.
I rarely swear, certainly not in front of younger children. I agree- time and place. Although my 16 yr old with ADHD seems to have a bit of Tourettes at times, i haven't heard my others swear (at least- not in front of me).

[RATTER15]

I dont swear in front of children or women but I hear swearing all the time just walking down the street. The girls I work with swear like troopers, I just leave them to it.

[RATTER15]

I do remember swearing in front of my Mother, it was the 14 April 1974, I was a bit excited about getting my new motorcylce, I said the word fcuk, she just looked at me, she really didnt need to say a word. I will never forget it and I always regretted it, I was mortified!!

[Old_Geezer]

Some folk seem bothered by it, others do not see what the fuss is about.

I can see a parent would wish to avoid their kid picked up socially questionable habits, but these days it may be as well they deal with that which is no longer such a taboo.

I figure uncalled for swearing in ordinary speech or prolonged beyond what the situation triggers (however you define those) should be avoided, but otherwise no point in wrapping kids in cotton wool and causing undue fuss.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah Ratter, I recall coming across that word as a kid. A school chum had taught me a little ditty about Donald Duck and me, being naïve at the time, simply thought it was a another word for excreta. So when I got home and saw mum & auntie, who was visiting, and in devilment I recited it. They did seem puzzled and a bit annoyed. I look back on it and smile now. (I reckon they may have been acting cross and trying not to laugh.)

[mazie]

Swearing in Scottish pubs is some of the worst I've heard. The locals are gathered around the bar, laughing and joking, strangers walk in ( I.e. me and the old man), they nod or say hello and carry on swearing like troopers the whole time we are there.... they just don't give a s**t

[RATTER15]

Lol Maizie, I dont think the customers of any pub is going to curb their swearing even if the Queen walked in.

[paddywak]

A few years ago I was walking Max through a part of the town that has a bit of a reputation when I heard one woman calling her kids in with the word "come in you little bastards or I'll *** give you a *** good hiding".It's no wonder kids swear.

[1ozzy]

So it appears that there is a time and place for everything these days.
Or have I misread things?...
"OH NO" I shouldn't ask questions when replying.
:-)

[Cloverjo]

I've mentioned this before on AB, but I'll say it again. I heard a woman say to her upset tiny child, "Stop crying, you ***". Unbelievable. Not as bad as Jeza's example, but really, what is it with these people?

[Cloverjo]

Ooh. I've been censored. I didn't know that actually happened here. It wasn't the c word. It was the t word.

[2sp_]

Thanks for all the replies. Interesting to see that most people are still horrified at adults swearing near/at children.

Pixie, I really don't think she was trying to make me feel better. We do not get on at all, and knowing her I shouldn't be surprised that her child has heard it all before. I do know that one of her older children was fluent in sweary words by the time he was about 4.

Mr P has a story from a delivery driver. Apparently the driver was dropping something off at a house and talking to the father of the family. A small boy (about 4ish) came out of the house and asked his dad for some money for the ice cream van. Father then told the son to f*** off you wee c***. I wasn't even there, but I'm still horrified by it.

[viv38]

I think it's mean that you swore at your poor dog !

[2sp_]

Viv, the dog was upsetting the sheep, I couldn't just let it. I had already yelled at it to go away (non sweary) and had just had enough!