I’m not really sure when it happened. Sometime over the last few years it has become socially acceptable to have a potty-mouth at the office. Most often I am invited into workplaces for short periods of time – usually a few months – so I normally don’t know anyone when I first show up, and have to take some time to get to know people.
I find it incredible that people who don’t know me are quite willing to use exceptionally foul language in our very first meeting. I should clarify two things:
1) I’m not there to fire them, or otherwise torture them… which may be construed as just-cause for an expletive or two.
2) I’m not offended by any of this, and use my own fair-share of foul words in more familiar company.
I just find it curious that people think words your mother always told you she didn’t want to hear are now common-place in work settings. In my experience, this transcends just about all demographic groups. It is not just younger people, nor is it just men. I have witnessed this in large cities, and small ones, in a wide variety of industries. I think it’s safe to say this has become a societal thing.
So… what is to be done? Probably nothing. But I would caution anyone who cares that first impressions are very powerful, and if you litter your first impression with language that would make a lumberjack blush, then you will inevitably come across as insensitive and less intelligent.
As a general rule of thumb, it might be good to know someone’s last name, before asking them (in so many words) if they like sex and travel. Likewise, don’t assume that you’re not offending anyone, just because everyone else seems to be swearing. It’s amazing that many offices insist on no fragrances or smelly foods for fear of upsetting someone, but have no similar guidelines for certain forms of noise pollution.
Until you know who you’re talking to, you might want to channel Bill Cosby more so than Eddie Murphy. In the mean time… check out this clip for how one office handled it.