Swearing, Profanity, #$%&#?*! ... Call it What You Will

As many who've been in my seminars know, I find that swear words are simply letters of the alphabet put together to create a word. I am not aware of any country that doesn't have its share of such words. This said however, I am not a fan of swearing. Not because of the words themselves, rather, because of the implied intent behind the use of these words, and often the tone with which they are spoken. Any letters can be put together to form a word. It is the meaning that society gives to these words that creates acceptance or nonacceptance for use in polite conversation.

Today we learned that the City Council in Washington, D.C. added an amendment to the Council's Code of Conduct that bans the use of profanity in council meetings. This amendment also unanimously passed. (see for the story: D.C. Council Chairman Cracks Down On #@&#%!!!)

It is interesting too when I speak with others, not one person has said that swearing is appropriate. Some even say they need to clean up their language. Yet swearing persists.

I simply ask you to consider how refined a person (you or other) sounds when swearing. And is there another set of words other than profanity that can be used when stating displeasure, unhappiness, or used in general conversation? 

President's Day - George Washington's Rules of Civility

George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays were two separate holidays when I was young. In 1971, their birthdays were combined to create one event that we celebrate today, President's Day.

We know that their accomplishments were significant in U.S. history and continue to impact us today. Many people may not realize that our first president, George Washington, also penned guidance on civility, Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, listing 110 rules to guide behavior for a respectful community. Notably, he penned these before he was 16!

Interestingly, while much has changed since Washington penned these rules in 1745, little has also changed. We still struggle with civility even after these almost 270 years.

Here are a few of Washington's rules and their current application.

Washington: "Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present"
Current Application: Avoid using cell phones in conversation with others. 

Washington: "Be not hasty to believe flying Reports to the Disparagement of any"
Current Application: In the workplace, make your own judgements based on your experience with another. Don't believe everything you hear. 

Washington: "If any one come to Speak to you while you are are Sitting Stand up..."
Current Application: When at a networking meeting, stand if you are able, to greet others joining your table. Standing to greet shows respect for both the other person and yourself.

Washington: "Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not."
Current Application: Avoid gossip.

To read all 110 rules, see Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.