[Deep Freeze] Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:50:03 AM
I think that you have all hit upon something important. It has a lot to do with culture. Different parts of the world have different ideas as to what is profane and what is not. Guido is quite right in that the English "prudes" have really impacted our language. The fact remains, what may be "profane" or "obscene" to one may not be so to another.
I cannot really agree with strat's logic regarding "judging" people by their speech just as you would the clothes they wear. I mean, I always try to take into account the person with whom I am speaking. I will say this, HOW a person dresses does say something about them. No doubt about it. For instance, I would never even consider wearing my pants so low that my underwear show! Nor would I wear a shirt with a curse word printed on it, for example. To me, it would not be dignified for a person of my age to do such a thing. THERE is a word; dignity. I believe that I will consider the topic of dignity in our next discussion.
