I just read an article on CNN.com about cursing at your place of employment. My first thought made me laugh out loud. My husband, the truck driver, and his language skills is what came to mind. There are times I consider him talented.
The article was basically explaining what I call common sense. However, there are some people who do not possess a filter with their language in situations that call for it. I grew up in a family that used the words damn and hell as everyday language. “Hell, lets go to the damn store.” For some folks, that would be ugly language.
I have worked in the corporate office atmosphere most of my adult life. I would have never dreamed of using even my everyday language, that I shared above, when dealing with clients and “certain” associates. With my closer friends at work, I was more comfortable to talk more freely. But even then I rarely went past the occasional hells and damns. If I did, people were shocked and knew I was either very angry or seriously not taking anymore crap from any direction. It is also possible I had been without chocolate for several days.
When my husband first started driving a truck, which was about 14 years ago, he had previously been in the army. They, as with most armed services, also have a talent for language that emphasizes suggestions of things you can do with your head that seem pretty much impossible.
My husband’s language, while colorful, had a filter when needed. At the time he went on the road, the CB radio was used much more than it is today. I soon began to notice his language skills had moved up a whole new level. Just telling me an everyday event was injected with some words that after one or two, I start to get fed up with them. Now, if he were seriously angry over something, I would leave it alone. However, sometimes I got offended by the overuse and would tell him. He began to say; I apologize, I have “trucker” mouth today.
Common sense of course prevented him from using this language with customers. In all honesty I am not sure how far he went with some of the dispatchers in his driving career. I know I have heard names for these people that as I said in the beginning, convinced me he is talented with “trucker” language.
I am not saying every trucker has the habit of using ugly language. But, lets be real here, there are more that do than those that don’t. I have been on several two weeks trips on the road with my husband and I learned first hand just how colorful conversations could become. As the years have gone by, my husband’s use of this language began to taper off. I think personal changes and a realization that you don’t have to use that language to get your point across eased him back. But, I never know when he may fling one out there when he is frustrated or angry.
The article stated the fact that we may get too comfortable and our language too loose with co-workers, which may cause us problems in many areas. How you talk to me is a large factor in how I am going to proceed in dealing with you. I admit that you can ask me for something in one manner and I will bend over backwards to help you. If you choose to talk to me in a manner that is degrading and/or ugly, you pretty much hit a brick wall. The article also stated that foul language in your job could affect your image, which of course could prevent you from moving further along when possible.
The truck driver has a large amount of people that I guess would be considered co-workers. Even if you don’t see them everyday, or maybe even more than once, you still are interacting with people in your “office” so to speak. A lot of these people have the ability to either make your day go smoothly or possibly make your day fall all to pieces and that usually has a domino affect on everything the truck driver is trying to accomplish. So, language gets heated often. I wonder how many just consider that trait part of a truck driver and just go right on passed it with out a blink. On the opposite side, how many are offended and think the trucker should clean up their mouth. 
You never know when someone might get offended. Some might quickly tell you to watch your language, while others would quietly call your company or supervisor and complain.
I have watched movies that used foul language for shock factor. The language sometimes wouldn’t even make sense with the situation, but they had to throw it in there. We are a cussing country. That sounds like the title of a country song.
Having said all that, when I really loose my temper, that is the moments I have the ability to make myself ashamed of my language. It seems to literally jump out of my mouth without any thought. Afterwards I regret it. For several reasons; one would be my father and his reaction to my language and two, it brings no value to the situation or to me.
My bringing up this article is in no way me trying to preach about language to anyone. But, I know from personal experience, the trucking world has some talented folks when it comes to language and suggestions accompanied by the language.
Hell, that’s it for me today. I hope you have a damn good week. Take care and stay safe,
KJ
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