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Well, I'd hold it against you (well, unless I set the precedent by swearing first...) :) In many professional settings (e.g. when in front of a client), where
by zzalpha 10y ago
Well, I'd hold it against you (well, unless I set the precedent by swearing first...) :)
In many professional settings (e.g. when in front of a client), where you may not be familiar with the social norms of those you're interacting with, the ability to effectively code switch is critical. I see that as part of basic professional judgement.
So, absolutely, with your co-workers, swear away if that's part of the culture.
But in a setting with someone unfamiliar? Like, say, an interview? Sorry buddy, but there's a lot of shops where that'll count against you.
- Retra 10y agoIt really depends on the job. If your priorities are of a political nature, then that's a reasonable expectation. If you're hiring me for an engineering position and you can't handle some harmless swearing, then you're really not sharing in my engineering priorities. Here it's just pointless culture policing and power playing.
- zzalpha 10y agoAccepting that folks you don't know might not share your values, and adjusting accordingly isn't "political". It's basic respect and professionalism. Now, from your perspective, you might think you're just testing the employer. That is, if they'll put up with your swearing in the interview, then it might be a better value fit. And that may be true. I'm simply suggesting that you may end up disqualified for positions where you might otherwise fit, not because swearing itself is deemed inappropriate, but because, in that specific setting, to the interviewer it suggests poor judgement.
- Retra 10y agoNo, what you're missing here is that I wouldn't swear unless I had a good reason to, and a good reason wouldn't likely turn up in an interview. I don't go around swearing in interviews for the fun of it. But if I do swear, and you think it's a major problem, then your priorities would be wrong. I do realize that judgement goes both ways. I'm not going to blame someone for being foolish, but I will blame them for hiding it when they could instead learn from it.
- zzalpha 10y agoSo the original exchange at the top of this thread was as follows: "Would you swear in an interview? No." Yes. And if someone held it against me it's unlikely to be a place I want to work. You were not the person who replied this way. My reading, at this point, is that your answer would be "maybe, but only if my read if the circumstances lead me to feel it was justified". And on this you and I actually agree!