Youth Talk

I don’t swear. For the majority of readers that is understandably difficult to fathom but I can honestly count the number of times I have cussed on one hand. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t denounce swearing at all.

In fact, I can confirm to all the ticket holders of a late night August 2014 Seef Mall cinema show that I was the very individual who fell on the floor laughing at Melissa McCarthy’s foul-mouthed performance of a tough Boston cop in The Heat. (On a side note, if you have not seen this film yet, what are you doing? Watch it as soon as possible, tears of laughter are guaranteed.)

But think about it. Why do people swear: when they’re angry or frustrated at a certain event or action. And, while it is indeed frustrating when a reckless driver cuts in your lane with no signal, what do you gain from bellowing out offensive words?

If anything, swearing further enhances your anger or frustration, thus further distracting you. Disagree with me all you will, but I just don’t see the point behind launching a tirade of awfully offensive phrases.

You don’t gain anything and, if anything, lose the respect of those around you. In fact, in Thai society, swearing in public is one of the main ‘social sins’ one can commit. Many Thais regard swearing as a poor reflection of one’s character and plain disrespectful to other members of society.

What I find the most disturbing, however, is encountering children under the age of 10 swearing. That simply shouldn’t be happening and is, indeed, a downfall of revolutionising technology to new levels.

Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to try and control anger and frustration. But perhaps try and evaluate the situation and work on how to resolve it. And, is saying ‘darn’ in public, instead of a swear word, really that awkward? OK, yes it is. Sticking to silence would be recommended.