Pick Two

Almost Before We Spoke, We Swore

Yes…there are studies into people swearing.  I thought this might be an interesting piece to read, due to the profession that I am in…and even though it comes from the NYT.

The article discusses, over the course of 4 pages, a few things about bad language.  In no particular order:

1. Cursing is universal


2. Curses towards another individual are rarely random, rather they are calculated when attacking


3. Swearing elicits a biological response from individuals


4. Profanity can rid a person of stress and anger


5. Swearing is often practiced as a coping mechanism


6. If the person is too enraged for expletives, there is major cause for concern (Think:  “Going Postal” or “Going Schoolin’”)


7. The difference of swear words across cultures is due to fears and fixations in that particular culture.


8. When one person swears to another, it is a decision made and not an impulsive reflex in most cases.

Okay, so Contestant Number 1 calls in, escalates to me, and is upset about needing to fax appropriate documentation to resolve a missing payment issue.  They think that we should take their word for this or that we can otherwise perform the necessary searches to find the payment.  Our tools in this regard are limited, so they go off on a string of profanities, thinking that this will change my decision.  Is this just venting their frustration with the matter?

Let’s try Contestant Number 2.  Calling in, the customer wants an extension on making a payment on the account.  Oh yeah, I’ve been told I pretty much have to give them the moon on this one.  I guess Contestant Number 2 gets a prize.

Contestant Number 3 calls in, wanting to escalate over something stupid, say, such as collections calls.  Yes, people who owe balances on their account, and get calls about these balances will routinely ask to speak to supervisors.  Being kind and civil at first, they don’t get the answer that they like, so they attempt to elicit a different response from me by swearing a chain of profanities that would make male ranchers kicked between the legs by mad cattle proud.

So, I guess that people just generally don’t like me, so their trying to belittle me.

Yep.

I’ve made a determination with a lot of people.  They have a tendency of being:

1. Stupid


2. Lazy


3. Irresponsible

Pick at least two.