I came up with the idea for this post literally about 5 minutes ago, when I was about to put "f*ck" in a review and immediately changed it. This has happened to me many times before. I immediately know of the perfect swear word to describe what I'm feeling, but then I change it to make it kinder. And for what reason? I know that most people reading these posts are teens, and it's no secret that teens swear. I definitely swear in real life, so why am I so scared to put them in my posts?
I think there's a long-perceived notion that swearing= unprofessional, which is kind of true. You probably won't get the job if you're dropping the f-bomb 20 times in your interview. However this blog isn't my job, it's my hobby, and I'm thinking that I'm watering-down my content to make it more "professional" which really isn't me.
The choice to swear obviously lies in the person. Some are comfortable to swear in their posts, and others just don't or just censor a few letters. But the strange thing with me is, that I want to swear, I just choose not to. So why am I not using my choice?
I guess I just care too much about the what if. I put my blog as a reference on my University application, so I guess I'm just afraid that they might actually log on here and find me too childish for swearing all the time. But it's highly unlikely that they'll even come on here and see my posts.
So from now on, I'm going to try to embrace myself and start swearing a bit more in my posts. That sounds a bit weird to announce, but again, I just care too much that people are going to be weirded out if they suddenly see me swearing my posts. Now I don't swear a ton, and I definitely do not, say offensive, racist, or sexual words, but the casual *this book fucked me up* every once in a while might come up. It's worth noting.
I think with swearing, it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't. You can get called a goodie two-shoes for not, or be called unprofessional for doing it. But the thing is, that it is all acceptable. If you don't feel comfortable swearing, that's ok. If you do, that's ok too. And I think that's something that I need to realise for myself too.
So people, if you want to express your emotions by proudly using some colourful language, go right ahead! I will be right with you! And if you don't, then there are many other ways that you can express your emotions too.
What do you think? Do you swear in your posts?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
Emily, you just summed me up in this post haha. I swear a lot in real life, but try to censor myself a little as my mum doesn't like excessive swearing and I feel bad swearing too much in front of her, and that carried over into my blog. I don't want to put people off or appear unprofessional, but I also feel rather disingenuous. There's been the odd shit or crap in some of my reviews, and I've started swearing more on twitter (mostly little words like sod and shit, or things like ffs) because that's just how I speak. And I'm 20 for god's sake - I can swear if I want haha. I don't want to become too explicit or excessive though, so I don't go out of my way to include swears in things, but I think if I can't express myself any other way than 'this was utter shite' then I think that's okay to include. But what I cannot stand and hate to see more than swearing is stuff like 'fugging' or 'sh*t'... If you're going to do that then just don't swear at all for fuck's sake!!
ReplyDeleteExactly!! I find that I swear more on Twitter because my twitter is obviously less professional, but I want to show my expression in my posts as well! I hate it when people use those dumb alternatives like "fugging", ugh it's so annoying lol!
DeleteAwesome post Em :)
ReplyDeleteI always put asterisks in, because I'm aware that while teens do, of course, swear, I'm not a teen. I have a responsibility to be the mature one.
I also notice that writing the word with *s has less of an impact - subtle, but true. Seeing the whole word written out is still relatively uncommon in a mainstream setting, so using *s lessens the jolt.
And my mother would kill me if I swore outright. As a typical Welsh mam, she's allowed to swear like a sailor - but if I do that she will bring the wrath of God down upon me. Therefore, whenever I go to swear, I can hear her yelling at me! Lol. XD
That said, I'm 100% ok with other people swearing (so long as they're not swearing **at** me!)
Yeah I have noticed that you put asterisks in your words, and I totally respect that! I just feel like for me, that doesn't feel like "me", you know? My mom is not Welsh but swears a lot as well, but god forbid by sister and I swear and she makes us feel very guilty lol!
DeleteI honestly relate to this post so much. I swear like a trooper in everyday life, but I don't think I've ever sworn on my blog. I think it's because firstly, I'm worried that it will come across as unprofessional and that people might take offence to it. I know most people don't care at all but I never want to risk upsetting people.
ReplyDeleteI do feel like I'm censoring my thoughts though, swear words just get across my emotions so much better than normal words. Personally, I don't even understand why swear words are swear words...I mean who decided that!?
Really great post!
Thank you Kristy! Yeah, I just feel like some swear words get your emotions across a lot more accurately! But at the same time, I'm afraid of making someone feel uncomfortable. You're right, who decided these swear words?!
DeleteI loved this post! It articulates how I firts felt about swearing in my posts. I tried not to swear, but I realized that I want to be as authenticate on my blog as I am in real life, and I swear quite a bit. As for the whole swearing being unprofessional, believe me when I say that universities and workplaces are full of cussing. Hell, some of my bosses and professors cuss waayyy more than I do. I think the stigma of swearing in those settings is definitely going away. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sierra! I really don't know what to think when going into university, so that's good to here! I guess swearing knows no boundaries!
DeleteThis is really interesting. I tend not to do it too even though more often than not I'm reviewing a book and I can only think of swear words. When I speak to people in real life I swear and whatnot but I guess I find my blog to be a lot more of a professional platform. I did in some of my early posts because I wanted to be as real as possible but as soon as I realised people were actually reading my posts I subconsciously stopped. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brooklyn! Like I said, I think it all depends on your comfort level, and for me, i just don't want to sound too professional. It's weird that we think a lot about these things!
DeleteThis was an awesome post- and I feel like I say this about ALL your discussions but I've thought about this a lot too! I don't normally resort to sweearing in my posts, and even when I do, it's mild word that I use. It's pretty much because of what you've said- I'm afraid of the impression it would give people since it's generally acknowledged that it's unprofessional. However it IS ridiculous, and I'm trying to talk myself into just letting go too! It's not like I don't swear IRL :D I do, quite a bit, and it's so relieving to say exactly what's on your mind, you know? Ah. I hope I can make myself cave in soon :D
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you Ruzaika! I feel like we spend a lot of time thinking about what other people will say rather than being ourselves. I'm hoping that both of us will be able to embrace that. Sometimes you just gotta swear!
DeleteAaaah, I relate to this so much! To be honest, it is so hard not to curse sometimes, hahah. If there's a perfect swear word that basically sums up my feelings, I'll probably use it. I think I've cursed before on my posts, without even realizing it. I also don't mind reading people's posts, unless they swear at every sentence, which I definitely don't think will be your case.
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah that definitely will not be my case! I'm not that type of person. I don't think I've ever done it without realizing because I'm just so conscious about it!
DeleteGreat post Emily :) I personally don't swear in my posts (or in real life) because swearing just isn't me. And I think it's a cheap, crude way of "expressing" yourself; personally, I think there're better ways to express your emotions, such as good writing.
ReplyDeleteAmy @ A Magical World Of Words
I respect your opinion :) I think I want to keep a balance between good, coherent writing and sometimes letting my emotions run free.
DeleteI do hold myself back from swearing a lot on my blog. But then others times I don't? It's like there's no rhyme or reason to when I decide to include a swear word, when I change it to something nicer, or when I put it but with a little star or two lol. Sometimes there's just not another word that works as well though! I mean, you can't say that a book was a mindscrew without sounding ridiculous, haha.
ReplyDeleteI know lol!! Sometimes there's just no other way because it'll just make it sound weirder.
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