My personal preference is somebody who doesn't constantly swear and gets things done, but I've seen more people who use slang and are willing to jump into things in 20+ years of working than people who stand on convention and are more concerned with what others are doing than doing things themselves.

Depending on the company, there may be times when the person who swears may need to tone it down a bit (recognizing those times shows flexibility), but I judge a person at work by their heart, intellect, and actions–not by the slang they use.

I lean more toward accepted etiquette, but that doesn't mean I'd expect everybody I'd hire to do the same, depending on their role in the company or project. Granted, if the company were dealing with more conservative or traditional clients, I wouldn't send somebody who swears and uses slang as the first impression, but what a lot of people seem to miss about people who swear and use slang is they know what they are doing and they aren't shooting for traditional roles in stuffy companies where slang is seen as appalling.

People who wear jeans to an interview, swear, and don't follow accepted mores get my respect because they know they aren't going to get jobs at many companies, and that's fine because they don't want to work for companies that won't accept them for who they are. Sure, they may be “limiting” themselves to some, but they are better at finding the jobs they are passionate about because they are more concerned with targeting the right job instead of just fitting in with everybody else to take any old job that comes along. And those right jobs allow them to make a real difference and build a reputation that makes them desirable to other open environments that seek that kind of person out.

Especially when you're younger, why not take chances? It's my experience that even if a younger person follows all rules of business etiquette, that older workers look at them with some sense of disdain, saying younger people don't “pay their dues,” when they bust ass and their enthusiasm and drive are recognized over somebody in a company for 10+ years who just shows up and thinks their time at the company matters more than the actions and initiative of somebody younger.

I'm willing to see there are more ways of doing things than one accepted way. For some people, proper business etiquette and dress works; for others, jeans and being themselves works.

Somebody who swears and wears jeans to an interview knows that aren't getting a job at a Fortune 500 company, but somebody who swears and wears jeans isn't looking for that kind of job.

The world is full of very successful people who swear and wear jeans (and who don't have a formal education). Going in that way from the start and building a reputation of getting things done makes a person like that a part of a small, tight network that values action more than convention. The person who swears and wears jeans may not have as many options, but once they've found their way in to the places that value them, they are more likely to be happy and do much more than the average person at an average job.

I also think that “proper” language all the time can be boring and, maybe it's due to my age, but I have no desire to work in a place where I have to censor myself.

The post is old-fashioned and in today's workplace, where personal branding is HUGE, I've found that being myself (swearing like a sailor, using slang or whatever) works wonders for my own brand.

And based on your examples, I find it hilarious that phrases like “that sucks” and “he's so lame” would offend you. Language is constantly changing and what was slang yesterday is part of everyday vocabulary today. You need to be able to roll with the punches or you're going to be left behind. Or end up one of those crotchety old ladies who talks about the “good ole days”. One of MY biggest pet peeves are people who are stuck in the dark ages.

Finally (sorry for the book of a response, but I'm pretty passionate about this – obviously), you say “your speech should be a reflection of your intelligence and education.” Well, intelligence and education don't necessarily go hand in hand. Thinking that way leaves out a hell of a lot of people, which can be incredibly prejudice and is a little presumptuous to assume regardless.

Still, I agree that you do need to be respectful – of people's culture, education, background, age – but there's a line and being too respectful sometimes leads to dishonesty and that's the complete opposite of a thriving personal brand.

Here's the link to my post:
http://www.handshake20.com/2010/03/using-slang-…

Yeah, someone might google me and say, “oh, she’s not for us.” Well, good.

My feeling is, it’ll just help weed out the clients who might hire me to do un-fun, “we can’t use that language/ our audience won’t get that” kind of stuff. I’ve done enough of that. If I could attract all potty-mouth projects from here on out, I’d be very happy. In fact, I hope there’s something called Project Potty Mouth and they find me right now.

Pee pee poo poo caca doody.

My personal preference is somebody who doesn't constantly swear and gets things done, but I've seen more people who use slang and are willing to jump into things in 20+ years of working than people who stand on convention and are more concerned with what others are doing than doing things themselves.

Depending on the company, there may be times when the person who swears may need to tone it down a bit (recognizing those times shows flexibility), but I judge a person at work by their heart, intellect, and actions–not by the slang they use.

I lean more toward accepted etiquette, but that doesn't mean I'd expect everybody I'd hire to do the same, depending on their role in the company or project. Granted, if the company were dealing with more conservative or traditional clients, I wouldn't send somebody who swears and uses slang as the first impression, but what a lot of people seem to miss about people who swear and use slang is they know what they are doing and they aren't shooting for traditional roles in stuffy companies where slang is seen as appalling.

People who wear jeans to an interview, swear, and don't follow accepted mores get my respect because they know they aren't going to get jobs at many companies, and that's fine because they don't want to work for companies that won't accept them for who they are. Sure, they may be “limiting” themselves to some, but they are better at finding the jobs they are passionate about because they are more concerned with targeting the right job instead of just fitting in with everybody else to take any old job that comes along. And those right jobs allow them to make a real difference and build a reputation that makes them desirable to other open environments that seek that kind of person out.

Especially when you're younger, why not take chances? It's my experience that even if a younger person follows all rules of business etiquette, that older workers look at them with some sense of disdain, saying younger people don't “pay their dues,” when they bust ass and their enthusiasm and drive are recognized over somebody in a company for 10+ years who just shows up and thinks their time at the company matters more than the actions and initiative of somebody younger.

I'm willing to see there are more ways of doing things than one accepted way. For some people, proper business etiquette and dress works; for others, jeans and being themselves works.

Somebody who swears and wears jeans to an interview knows that aren't getting a job at a Fortune 500 company, but somebody who swears and wears jeans isn't looking for that kind of job.

The world is full of very successful people who swear and wear jeans (and who don't have a formal education). Going in that way from the start and building a reputation of getting things done makes a person like that a part of a small, tight network that values action more than convention. The person who swears and wears jeans may not have as many options, but once they've found their way in to the places that value them, they are more likely to be happy and do much more than the average person at an average job.

I also think that “proper” language all the time can be boring and, maybe it's due to my age, but I have no desire to work in a place where I have to censor myself.

The post is old-fashioned and in today's workplace, where personal branding is HUGE, I've found that being myself (swearing like a sailor, using slang or whatever) works wonders for my own brand.

And based on your examples, I find it hilarious that phrases like “that sucks” and “he's so lame” would offend you. Language is constantly changing and what was slang yesterday is part of everyday vocabulary today. You need to be able to roll with the punches or you're going to be left behind. Or end up one of those crotchety old ladies who talks about the “good ole days”. One of MY biggest pet peeves are people who are stuck in the dark ages.

Finally (sorry for the book of a response, but I'm pretty passionate about this – obviously), you say “your speech should be a reflection of your intelligence and education.” Well, intelligence and education don't necessarily go hand in hand. Thinking that way leaves out a hell of a lot of people, which can be incredibly prejudice and is a little presumptuous to assume regardless.

Still, I agree that you do need to be respectful – of people's culture, education, background, age – but there's a line and being too respectful sometimes leads to dishonesty and that's the complete opposite of a thriving personal brand.

Here's the link to my post:
http://www.handshake20.com/2010/03/using-slang-…