I think my swearing problem was highlighted by a job interview in 1994. I was competing against hundreds for a job at a fast-food chain. I felt confident – I had a couple years of food service experience, and I flashed a million-watt smile as I sat down with the interviewer.
In the middle of his questioning, he asked, “How are you under pressure?”
”Well, all you can do is keep calm,” I replied. “I mean, it doesn’t help to blow a gasket when the cash register is f***ed up…”
As soon as the interviewer’s eyes widened, I knew my chances of getting hired were nil. Why couldn’t I control my potty mouth? I got the job a few months later, but only because of a labour shortage. When someone swears during the most significant time to impress someone, there’s obviously a problem.
The magic of swearing is the power it can seemingly bestow on the one who casts it. I suppose that, to appear larger than my tiny frame, I swear to seem physically and mentally larger than the people and problems around me. As a woman, I seem to attract a lot of negative attention by swearing. But when a man swears, it seems to be a default of “boys will be boys” behaviour.
There are biological conditions that lead to frequent swearing. Aphasia, which is a condition due to brain damage such as a stroke or head injury, can lead to semiautomatic use of words, including swear words. In addition, one of the side effects of Tourette’s Syndrome is coprolalia, or uncontrolled swearing.
Since I am healthy as a horse, I conclude I adopted this unflattering habit through environment. I tend to find work where there is high stress, a high amount of testosterone, and therefore a lot of swearing. I once alienated a reporter, who overheard me calling an annoying employee a “c***” (i.e. a part of the female anatomy). I have not edited a story with her since. A factoid on the Internet states, “Swearing makes up 3 percent of all adult conversation at work.” A co-worker, who probably decided that the 3 percent came all from my mouth, designated a swear jar a few months ago. It is now full of my change, which I buy snacks with every other week. The jar does work, but on occasion a foul word pops up, especially when I am stressed. “God, I feel like I’m having lunch with one of the Sex and the City girls!” a friend once remarked.
Other life circumstances have curtailed my habit as well. My boyfriend has an eight-year old girl. Knowing how much children love to copy, I try to put forth a good example, and keep my mouth clean. Impressing her is more important than any fast-food employer.
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Aggie lives in Vancouver, BC. When not indulging in the local outdoor playground that is her city, she’s jetsetting around the world, finding interesting people and fabulous parties. She can be reached at .
