Description: Absurdities of Human Nature
It was my first day on assignment at the refinery and I walked into the control room, escorted by a fellow engineer who was showing me around. We approached one of the operators and, before my host could speak, the man said, “Who’s this c#@t?” I laughed and was not fazed a bit, for several reasons. First, I had spent a lot of time in refineries by then, so swearing was not unusual and my skin was thick. Second, this was Australia, so, as in the U.K., the c-word is not meant to be as offensive as in the
My inner boy. Isn't he cute?
I’m as guilty as anyone (more-so, really) of letting expletives fly during times of frustration, or perhaps when present company allows for complete openness. But why do we swear, and how do we know that are intentions will be understood? So many people, more virtuous than I, are quick to dismiss swearing as base and a sign of ignorance, but there seems to be much more to it.