Brilliant entry, Mike!! Verbal and non-verbal communication is indeed a social issue, although i never really thought of it as such until now.

Yes, this gesture that cute little girl is making, IS considered to be offensive in some places around the world. I can't remember what that gesture is supposed to mean in other places, but where i'm from it means "peace." I think in some other countries it has a sexual meaning??? wish i could remember, but we did discuss this in one of my communication classes in college.

there are some other gestures that are controversial depending on where you use them. wish i could remember them.

As for curse words....you're right. some find it offensive and some don't. And it is funny how we can say f_ck and that's "ok." Verbally, we can say, "I'm freakin' mad" but not "fu_king mad." words and gestures...yep they're just that, but they can get you fired from your job and get you in trouble in other ways.

I've been using the "F" word since my early 20's. I really would like to stop using it, and have been trying to break myself of it.

Does it make me a morally worse person to use the "F" word?

And it makes me wonder why swearing is considered to be wrong. Does it have to do with religion, something in the Bible, or what?

I'm a Christian, and let me tell you, you sure don't hear the "F" word used at church. And i certainly don't say it around my parents and family.

It's considered socially unacceptable around Christians.

At the restaurant where i work, well, just about everyone says it...even our managers; however, if we say it and get caught we can lose our job. Kemal got written up for saying the F word about 9 months ago and told he would be fired if he was heard saying it again.

anyway, i find this entry quite thought provoking and interesting to discuss. I do seriously wonder if using the "F" word makes me somehow not so good on the moral scale. I use it all the time. I guess that must mean i'm not really a good person??? dunno. all i know is Sheila has a potty mouth, and Christian or not, i still keep usin' that word.

You give me much to think about, Mike!! Thanks!!! And yes, you CAN do it!!!! :)

Message edited on: 03/07/2005 16:49