Seems someone is catching flak over their use of "the F-word," and others, on a "business" blog. Interesting debate. It blends questions of public persona with personal ideas and attitudes. Do we speak in business differently than in private or off-hours? Depends, doesn't it? Both on our environment and on the sensibilities of our audience. Do we alter our delivery to get the deal and become inauthentic in the bargain? Is persuasion insisting that people come to you and your language choices and worldview? Is "Goddamn" more offensive than "Fuck"?

Problematic.

Me? Hey, I'm a christian. [ed.: Lower case 'c' - Episcopal variety. Some would say a not-christian.] Who cusses. [See?] Okay, been in a fistfight too. [See-see?] Hey, nobody's perfect. I know this cuz I read it in a book somewhere. So, for instance, I'll let slip and use a naughty-bomb when I'm trying to make a particularly emphatic point. Or screw up a business deal. Or when I'm quoting the President of the United States, or the Vice President. Or, our Secretary of State. In their places of work. And, naturally, when transcribing the customer service philosophy of one of America's most noted and once-admired ex-energy companies. And then, there are times when I won't. It just depends.

Geez (whoops!), here's hoping the Big Guy really does grade us on long-run practice, not prose or pieties. Otherwise I'm, uh, screwed.