That depends, I guess, on what is "normal" for you. Which may reflect the environment you've been brought up in, or the environment you currently live or work in. I come from a working class background, my father was a coal miner, I grew up in a coal-mining village. Bad language (let's call it that) is not exactly uncommon in those social circles - but - and maybe this is also a generation thing - it was never acceptable for men to swear in front of women or children - or to even be heard swearing loudly in public. We were all low-life to some degree, but those who used foul language like that were especially low life and looked down upon. I'm sure my father would have used bad language as part of everyday speech at work with his coal mining mates - normal in that environment - but it stopped at the door when he was home. Likewise, I went to a large comprehensive school in Sheffield and it was normal to swear amongst mates - but no I didn't swear at home - I wouldn't have dared!
The kind of places I've worked, which was initially in public service roles, and later in my career, in a professional business environment, I'd have literally been fired for using that kind of language in the workplace. Late at night in a bar with a few close workmates in private -no problem. But not openly at work. Absolutely not allowed or even remotely expected. But that isn't the same for all workplaces I accept.
There was an interesting test case a few years ago where a fisherman in Hull, lost his job at the docks for using foul language. I believe he told his boss to "F off" and the boss fired him on the spot as a result. The guy took it to tribunal and they found in favour of the fisherman. The reason they said was that this kind of language was "common parlance" i.e. "normal" in that environment and therefore it did not constitute gross misconduct at work - which legally is the only thing you can be fired directly for, without prior warning. So absolutely, the environment that you are in does dictate whether language is acceptable or not.
I must admit, I am still occasionally shocked by foul language in public. I'm particularly shocked by how it seems to have become "acceptable". And I'm even more shocked by how we hear this from the voice of women in public. I was in a bar in Sheffield the other night and three girls sat behind me, every other word was "fuck" and "shit" with a good sprinkling of "twat" and "bastard" thrown in. I looked at these girls - they didn't look rough or anything - in fact they looked respectable - but the language coming from their mouths - put it this way - if I was single and they'd have looked like Miss World I wouldn't have been interested.
I think, like a lot of things, we've become desensitised to it because it's been allowed to grow unchecked. It's an essential part of comedy or drama on TV. It never used to be. I think a lot of the influence has come from the US as well. I really wish we wouldn't copy what they do because it's really not all good and clever. It's in video games and music and everything these days. My son downloaded some song by a rapper a while ago. He played it to me because apparently it's famous for being the fastest, most words, in a rap song. I only heard one word, it went so fast, and that word was "motherfucker". How lovely eh? What a great contribution to our vocabulary the Americans have made with that term!
Maybe you disagree and think there's nothing wrong with it? I'm sure we won't all agree and we don't need to agree either. But I think It's something to do with "respect" - this is a precious value that has been eroded in our society in lots of ways. It means being understanding of others differences and being prepared to act or behave in a way that is expected in the environment you're in, even if it's not your usual style.
