Lately I've noticed something strange going on. I've been listening to a lot of sales pitches where marketers use swear words. I've also noticed more swearing in other business situations as well.

It's always been my view that swearing is unprofessional (in most business settings). When I hear them swear or see it in their writing, I get turned off (business wise), despite the fact that swearing doesn't offend me. I just don't see it being appropriate in most business settings.

Is this a new fad? How do you feel when you hear swearing in say commercials or other marketing/business situations?

It is unprofessional in a Business sense.
In casual ways i do swear once in a while

Totage, i've been in the Construction business since I left school and it's like a 2nd language on the sites!

Oh that's different. Swearing in construction or factory work, or such well, yeah it's a second language. lol

But, I'm talking about where you're supposed to be more professional, suit and tie type of business setting. I'm sure you wouldn't swear in a sales pitch to potential investors, or something like that.

What Were You Buying??

I wasn't buying anything, but I've been noticing this in a few different areas.

SEO marketing, business coaching (where in certain context may be ok I guess), Online Marketing, Shipping & logistics for business, etc.

You should have said, what the **** were you buying..

Hi Sparks..

Now I have my own business though and i'm going to meetings to try and win new contracts for that business, I have to try and watch my language, as you do meet some total arseholes at those meetings. When I let fly though with my language the air does turn blue! ha ha ha

I have been in business a very long time and while swearing is not the rule, it is at times called for and a effective way of getting the point taken "in the field".. not in the boardroom. And never in a personal manner or directed at a person.

It is a tool that sometimes needs to be used given the right time and place.

I would walk away or hang up on people like that. Not professional to customers

That's the same view I have devildog. It's has it's time and place and can be used effectively if done properly. It's not an effective tool to acquire clients though.

I know what you mean totage. I have noticed it too. Trying too hard to be "hip" falls flat in my opinion.

A true salesperson does not need profanity to sell his product. They should be good with words and technique. Care should be taken to not offend your customer. Language is so much more than swear words.

Now in other work places it is the expected venacular but it is more on a peer to peer basis. That's ok. But not in a professional setting where you don't necessarily know the customer.IMHO

I have stopped being so particular about such things

if its said in the company of adults and is not intended to insult or intimidate,,,,(and its not during an interview or in conversation with a customer)

I don't much like it,, but I am no longer offended or put off by it,,,,it really is how some people speak,,, just like I happen to say hon and sweety a lot

its not meant with harm,,,so its not a problem

I honestly can't say that I've never experienced this when doing business to business. But I work in the unskilled temp staffing business. I'm in the corporate office and we do have calls all the time from temps who get hot under the collar and start spewing expletives on the phone. I tell the employee if they don't stop swearing and yelling I'll hang up on them. It's become a common occurrence unfortunately.

I will agree with this ^ understandable ... other business all depends on what type... no don't believe it is professional...but certain type do and not think a thing about it ... I have not seen any in swearing in commercials... but I don't get certain stations either... I heard Don Rickles comedian actor talking the other night ... and was asked ...what did he think about swearing and had he thought about using it in his material now.. might be more popular for him ... he had said I am eighty something yrs old... never use the word F**k and why would I start now ... I thought that was funny for one of the greats to say after all this time ...
I don't get offended that easy ... so does not bother me ... and if I get upset it can come out just because ... and sometimes around children i try and hold back ... depends on what kind of friends your with or setting your in ... if u have different kind of friends also or work with ...

I recently saw and ad on the internet - a large real estate site.
This ad title was " you cannot polish a t**d"

I sent them a message (from the site) to say I thought this had gone beyond the boundaries of a sales pitch. I used to sell R/E myself but have never seen this before.

I don't like it - oh, and I did not get any reply from my message...

UNprofessional

I agree.

I also feel that the new Pop-Tart commercial where the pop-tart says "aw jam it!" is very inappropriate, as their target audience is children.

Eternally grateful that we don't have pop tart ads here (Australia)



seen something like them on supermarket shelves though..

No Pop-tarts in Australia? I would have thought they were everywhere, but they must just be big in the U.S. I find it interesting the things we find in our own regions that are very popular in the region, but outside it's not as popular or even known.

I think when your at work in a business setting when customers are around you should conduct yourself as a professional.