To Swear or Not To Swear - That is the Question

Call me old-fashioned, but I really hate seeing profanity creeping into blogs, webinars and “professional” social media. Besides the idea that that kind of language is not professional, it also suggests a sort of arrogance, in the sense that you are delivering your message in a way that may be offensive to clients or potential clients, without caring whether your clients or potential clients may be offended.

I’m willing to consider that perhaps it depends on your target audience. I once read a comment to a profanity-laced blog that applauded the blogger for “using language that real people use.” I would suggest, however, that not all “real people” use or like profanity and vulgarity, and that use of profanity more often gets in the way of the message. There are very few cases where use of profanity enhances the message (in the true sense of the word) in a way that a non-profane word can’t.

Social media and other forms of electronic communication have obviously changed the way we communicate. Twitter, by its very nature (only 140 characters!) is a less formal way of writing, as are Facebook and even e-mails. But if you are communicating as a “representative” of your company, or to people who are current or potential customers, it’s important to communicate with "clean" language, regardless of the forum.

Grandma always said profanity cheapened the person and made them appear far less intelligent than they might actually be. Why risk sending this message and starting off on the wrong foot with a potential client?