Are you bothered by profanity if not meant as an insult?

Not even remotely. For me it's all about intent. I've even laughed at racist jokes directed at my race if I thought they were funny and not intended to be meanspirited.

-Byshop

@Byshop: There's not enough funny jokes about Portuguese people. I feel left out =P

Profanity is just sound being uttered from a mouth.

Context of the profanity and the emotional energy behind it is what makes it offensive.

"****" to someone who doesn't speak English is a meaningless word. Said in a manner that conveys anger or hatred, one wouldn't need to know what the word means to understand the force behind it.

@foxhound_fox: That's a good point. When I moved here I didn't understand what was being said about me but I could understand the tone it was said in; it was enough to be offensive.

If someone is using profanity on me, I don't take it personal nor does it bother me when someone use the N word on me, doesn't matter what color, the N word and such is just a word and I know it's just trying to look cool. I'm not the type of person to tell someone that your retarded, that's just plain stupid.

But however, if you use death threats words on me, then we'd have a problem here. Racist jokes are one thing I'm cool with but using death threats is another thing I won't tolerate.

Voted: As long as they’re not trying to insult me, I don’t mind.

Pedro I hope you don't feel offended at what I addressed you as the other day. If so, apologies.

@elkoldo: Of course not! Weirdly enough you were actually right too so you had both definition AND context down =P

@korvus: Alrighty then.

As for the topic, there's a time and place for it. You can't just go down the street and talk to every stranger like that, or a politician on TV can't use this kind of language, even though they don't mean the offense.

Also, lols at that last poll option.

I rather people avoid using profanities in normal talk, especially racist ones because the chances for a misunderstanding between people of different nationalities or races are too high.

I certainly don't believe in one race having the privilege to use certain racist terms on themselves and then getting pissed off when someone of another race uses the same term on them.

Cursing is for sailors.

Yes, yes I am. It's highly unbecoming of any high browed gentleman.

No, but I am bothered by people who are afraid to use it.

No s*t ?

Time and place for everything. I'll dip my feet into any type of comedy, but only when I know it'll be properly received, and when I know I won't hurt anybody with it. I expect the same from others.

Doesn't bother me at all, people can swear as much as they like around me. If directed at me however expect a barrage back.

Well said, unfortunately it's not quite the same when profanity is used via text - but even there context is a very big factor in whether or not it's likely to be seen as offensive by the reader.

That said, there's a time and place for everything - I certainly wouldn't go into a business meeting and start spewing out profanities regardless of whether or not they're used offensively. With friends or other like-minded individuals and used in an inoffensive manner? sure, why not, they're just words, nothing more.

Anytime I see a stranger using profanity, I always judge them. I don't mind or judge any of my friends when they're using bad language

When said stranger is using profanity while talking at you or just a random person talking to his/her friends?

@korvus: both

@iloveatlus: I would probably find it quite strange if someone randomly approached me and started cussing for no reason =P

I think it;s stupid not to keep the context in which certain things are said in mind,

Depends on the occasion. I wouldn't indulge in any profanity when talking to a stranger or person outside of my age group. Among my friends though strong language or racist, mom jokes etc are not unusual. Just for the lulz. I don't really care but I would expect a similar mentality from others too.

@magicalclick: Probably a wise decision. Even though I use that language myself it's still annoying to talk to people who have to cuss 5 times per sentence.

Not unless it is abused like this:

Once upon a fucking time, a fucking bitch named Katy fucking ate a fucking pie because she was fucking hungry and shit. Then she fucking called this asshole a fucking asshole because he fucking put a fucking piece of fucking habanero in her fucking apple pie.

Some people talk like this and it makes me want to slap their damn mouth and tell them to go back to school.

Why is that? If people don't want to use profanity, then what is the harm in that? I grew up in a household where profanity was just a big no-no, but that's just how I was raised. I've gotten to the point where I might use one occasionally in my head, but never actually say it in person. For me, the very definition of the word is enough to keep me from using it, though I definitely understand those who just base it off context.

Every Once in a while, but not after every word.

Example: "You have fucking got to be fucking kidding me. **** YOU!"

not bothered by it regardless of how its used or what context its used in, if someone is being aggressive towards me using profanities it not the profanities that offend me and get me angry.

A curse word can be the right word to use on a certain occasion and it can't be substituted (and it shouldn't), but a lot of time it's just used by people that have a limited repertoire and can't be precise.

Sure, context is important.

But in general, I'm bothered. I try to stay away from those kind of people.

Generally no.

It is a matter of context though.

If someone stubs their toe, screw up in a game or it's among close friends when it's more of a banter between them then I'd not only not see a problem with it but I'd also expect it.

While eating at a resturant or various other situations where you're not with your close friends/Perhaps family then I'd usually arch a brow at it.

Never really, unless it's every other word. I see no issue with using expletives to elongate a sentence. In fact usually hearing and using bad language makes me more comfortable, especially if it's around people I've never met, it's a way that I know I can kick back and not have to worry about what people think of me at the time.

The circle of friends I keep are all family guys. I don't recall any of them cuss out in casual talk even among us guys. Some of them used to when we were single. I guess things change once someone gets hitched and have a family.

I suppose the folks here who don't mind being foul-mouthed also don't mind if their women are foul-mouthed as well.

I don't mind how often people swear or how much. I use the words often so if other people do awesome, if not cool as well. If people do not like a lot of swearing I will tone it down a bit, but usually I sound like a trucker. Probably because my father was a trucker.

Yes, it's unprofessional and seems a bit trashy.

I understand that things slip out some times, but some people just cuss like sailors, and I don't respect that.

Few smartasses use profanity on users then make the excuse of just kidding with them HaHa.

No, not at all.

Pic somewhat related.

To some degree no. But if half the words coming out of your mouth is profanity I will be annoyed.

Liar! I have seen you using it.

I'm offended by people who are offended by it.

I hope so, otherwise we'd be hypocrites. If I cuss then why shouldn't my wife be allowed to?

She is your wife so it's up to you to decide :P

Something tells me Mrs K is as nice as Mr K , not cussing kind of peeps :P

Intent over content when it comes to banter and casual debate. If it's serious, you're better off being explicit and appropriate in tone, because you may get quoted.