rivingtonpike

I know we're probably a bit closeted here on the Island and we live in a "nice" area, but I have heard almost no swearing socially or professionally. It's very rare for someone to swear within my hearing anyway. No idea what goes on behind my back; don't really care!

scootb

Bawbag goes down well at my work I have to admit,w*nkstain had one of the Irish boys in stitches a couple of nights ago.

Shard

I find Canadian adults are less likely to swear in public places where children might be present, whereas British adults don't give a flying four x.

burks

I find swearing a lot more common back in the UK. I have had to try to tone down the swearing since being here.

Although you can use some of the UK swear words and people find them funny.

beckiwoo

That's exactly how I feel about the word "douchebag" - is it even a swearword?

Edo

Yep thats true for the UK where people swear a lot even in professional meetings, but in my experience so far thats not so much of a case in Canada unless you are with field construction staff.

You need to watch your mouth mate

Shard

Swearing is more of a class indicator in Canada than it is in Britain.

bats

Frigging and freaking are said with such venom it may as well be a full ****ing.

Jingsamichty

That's an odd statement, does Canada have class distinctions?

Shard

Yes it does. I'm recycling it from a similar discussion I had on the Ozzie forum some time back. Broadly, there's a blue collar - white collar distinction, and the former is far more likely to swear than the latter. Ne c'est pas?

Jingsamichty

But you think that swearing is more class-based in Canada than the UK? Maybe I just mix in the wrong circles because nearly everyone I know swears. I was at a speech given by Souvy's old mate, Gen. Adm. Sir Rick (Your Majesty) Hillier, Lord of The Rock and All Canada, and even he was asked to tone the language down a bit.

jamesmc

working for a french canadian company ..i find i can now swear in french and sometimes they have problems with my broad scots accent they pick up the sweary words pretty good.

rwin

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/s...cond-language/

rwin

I don't speak German but I could always tell when my grandma was swearing in it.

GC44

A chap I worked with used "frick" a lot but when really riled he would substitute the "ri" with a "u". Another calls everything a "hoowa" instead of whore and I do mean everything. Swearing a lot in my experience isn't going to be an issue.