Swearing in the game of paintball??

[dr.strangelove]

Originally posted by Justin T
most people swear it is a natural instinct!

I'll give you that an adverse reaction to pain is natural, but since language is a learned behaviour, I'd say swearing is certainly not. Words are completely arbitrary without knowledge of their use and meaning, so the choice of words in response to an adverse reaction to pain is just that, a choice. And one that can easily be modified or changed. It's just that swearing is the societal standard in response to pain or stress. For example, if you had observed from your childhood, before you possesed a knowledge of words and their uses, that "tree" was used not only to reflect the true meaning of the word, but also as a response to aggravation, then your "natural instinct" would be to yell the word "tree" when you got mowed in the face. Personally, I think that as long as we're going to take certain words and use them outside the context of their orignal meaning and label them "swearing", then it makes little difference whether it's f*** or s*** or "tree". But since society feels an obligation to make an effort to shield it's young people from words that we have arbitrarily assigned as "swear" words, then I think that it's only responsible for paintball tournament ogranizers, for the sake of those conscientious parents, to try and prevent youngsters from hearnig excessive amounts of "swearing".

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by dr.strangelove
I'll give you that an adverse reaction to pain is natural, but since language is a learned behaviour, I'd say swearing is certainly not. Words are completely arbitrary without knowledge of their use and meaning, so the choice of words in response to an adverse reaction to pain is just that, a choice. And one that can easily be modified or changed. It's just that swearing is the societal standard in response to pain or stress. For example, if you had observed from your childhood, before you possesed a knowledge of words and their uses, that "tree" was used not only to reflect the true meaning of the word, but also as a response to aggravation, then your "natural instinct" would be to yell the word "tree" when you got mowed in the face. Personally, I think that as long as we're going to take certain words and use them outside the context of their orignal meaning and label them "swearing", then it makes little difference whether it's f*** or s*** or "tree". But since society feels an obligation to make an effort to shield it's young people from words that we have arbitrarily assigned as "swear" words, then I think that it's only responsible for paintball tournament ogranizers, for the sake of those conscientious parents, to try and prevent youngsters from hearnig excessive amounts of "swearing".

There are no choices in knee jerks...and you know exactly what I am talking about here.
Don't try and reduce the totality of swearing to an inappropriate choice of words.
Of course some of what you are suggesting is true but you need to factor in the 'heat' of the situation and people's natural responses.
You seem to be saying swearing has become a fashion and can be completely understood as such, it can't.
Some people use swearing to look tough, others because, as you say, it's fashionable (maybe for the reason I have just mentioned) but to judge us all with a moral hat on ain't gonna cut much ice when some punk-ass has drilled you in the back ten times.

 

[Marc0]

I have marshalled more than a few tournements and this subject needs to be treated like any other..........you use your discretion.

If a player makes the odd profanity to his team mates ( move up you ****, or someone shoot that **** ) you let it go.

If they are sitting behind a barricade shouting at the top of their voice a long list of playground type profanity at the opposition, you warn him about his conduct.

If they swear at ANY marshall on ANY field at ANY time, ban him from the tournement.

Laters

 

[dr.strangelove]

Originally posted by Robbo
There are no choices in knee jerks...and you know exactyl what I am talking about here.
Don't try and reduce the totality of swearing to an inappropriate choice of words.
Of course some of what you are suggesting is true but you need to factor in the 'heat' of the situation and people's natural responses.
You seem to be saying swearing has become a fashion and can be completely understood as such, it can't.
Some people use swearing to look tough, others because, as you say, it's fashionable (maybe for the reason I have just mentioned) but to judge us all with a moral hat on ain't gonna cut much ice when some punk-ass has drilled you in the back ten times.

Nah nah, you've misunderstood. I was simply saying that the societal definition of "swearing" isn't necessarily "natural", as language is a matter of habit and choice. The negative reaction to stress or pain is natural, but the choice of words used to convey the reaction is a matter of choice and habit and social observation in early language development (hence the example with the word "tree"). Didn't mean any offense to anyone, and I'm certainly not above letting my opinion be known when I'm walking off the field and somebody takes to blazing me when I'm clearly not in the game anymore. I guess my point was more an observation on society's definition of "swearing" than anything else. Bottomline is: some parents have made a concerted effort to shelter their kids from the words that society have labeled "swearing", and players should try to be respectful of that when the youngun's are around. And disrespecting the officials, whether swearing or not, should never be tolerated.

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by dr.strangelove
Nah nah, you've misunderstood. I was simply saying that the societal definition of "swearing" isn't necessarily "natural", as language is a matter of habit and choice. The negative reaction to stress or pain is natural, but the choice of words used to convey the reaction is a matter of choice and habit and social observation in early language development (hence the example with the word "tree"). Didn't mean any offense to anyone, and I'm certainly not above letting my opinion be known when I'm walking off the field and somebody takes to blazing me when I'm clearly not in the game anymore. I guess my point was more an observation on society's definition of "swearing" than anything else. Bottomline is: some parents have made a concerted effort to shelter their kids from the words that society have labeled "swearing", and players should try to be respectful of that when the youngun's are around. And disrespecting the officials, whether swearing or not, should never be tolerated.

I certainly didn't take any offence Doc but I obviously did misunderstand what you were trying to say, for that I apologise.
I would never advocate swearing but I will always concede it will happen especially at times when the adrenaline is pumping like a frikkin a jack-hammer.
As for the tack you are taking, I'm afraid people are always gonna react as products of their upbringing and their social enviroment which worries me a little because I swear like an east end docker and I got great parents who hardly ever swore and my social group is I suppose questionable......I tend to hang around paintballers

 

[Rosie]

I tend not to swear that much, but when im bonusballed, hit on the fingers, chest, ass, etc then it is a kneejerk yeah, usually 'f***ing hell', 'arrrgh you t***' or similar. I dont shout it though, not loud enough for spectators to hear


as long as it aint racist
as long as its not directed at the marshalls
as long as it isnt trying to start a fight eg 'im gonna knock your fcuking head in you ***** **** ***. & yo' momma's a ****** *****'

then its Ok

& yup like Robbo & everyone else; don't condone swearing, but it just...happens. I'm not offended unless its directed against me or a teammate (then they'll get some back )
I never swear normally, but when I'm playing I swear a lot more, guess we just change for the people we're around

 

[Scars]

Your a fussy Mummys boy

 

[Justin T]

i never said you had to but most people do, i tend to dance or say something random. There is never a real need for swearing ever, but people still do.

 

[Jayrider]

Originally posted by Rosie
I tend not to swear that much, but when im bonusballed, hit on the fingers, chest, ass, etc then it is a kneejerk yeah, usually 'f***ing hell', 'arrrgh you t***' or similar. I dont shout it though, not loud enough for spectators to hear

as long as it aint racist
as long as its not directed at the marshalls
as long as it isnt trying to start a fight eg 'im gonna knock your fcuking head in you ***** **** ***. & yo' momma's a ****** *****'

I believe the same, no racism, nothing directed at marshals or aimed directly at any other players then it should be fine.
I mean if someone bonusballs you or mugs you your gonna swear, you cant really help it ..... or at least I can't

 

[Missy Q]

Me too! I agree with everyone! I hope they'll like me now.

Nope.