During the days when I drove myself everywhere, I enjoyed my little sterilized world, spoiled by the anaesthesia from the “f” word that rhymes with pack or packing. My drive was pleasant because it was just me and the radio. Since doing the daily public transit commutes, my previously sanitized world came crumbling down because the “f” word has taken over every expression and sentence in casual conversations heard in public domain.
The “f” word has been used as an adjective, noun and verb. It has been uttered as an expression of pain, disgust, awe and appreciation. Unfortunately, the obscene word has ruled the school children’s vocabulary as well. If the “f” word wasn’t taught in the schools, where did the kids learn to say it? From the people at home perhaps? From their fellow kids? From the television shows or movies? From their famous role models?
It is a very sad statement of our times when little people, who are not yet adults, think that the “f” word is a necessary part of their speech, incorporated in their conversations because it's the cool thing to do. It just demonstrates a lack of vocabulary when used to precede every noun in their sentence, or to describe everything... from what they're feeling... to how someone looks.
This is a time when film makers and television producers should feel the burden of their moral or immoral contribution to society. The youth of today look to the big screen for heroes and copy what they see. They talk like the characters in the movies because they think it’s the right thing to do. If movie characters spit out the “f” word as though it’s the norm for everyday conversation, kids will pick up the habit.
The movie stars become their role models, too. Young girls who worship Lindsay Lohan might think that it’s the fashion to go to jail. Or that changing boyfriends is like changing clothes because Taylor Swift does it as often as she comes up with a new song.
Hearing the “f” word all the time is a form of mental abuse. I’ve heard it so often at work from an associate who grew up in the East Coast where the word is probably part of every sentence. One day I had a good chance to call his attention to his bad word habit. His computer froze and he asked me what could be wrong. He said that it froze too often. I told him that if he stopped saying the “f” word, maybe his computer won’t get offended and will perform better. He got the message! After that incident, I never heard him say the “f” word again. Or perhaps, he says it only when I’m not within hearing distance.
Come to think of it, the “f” word doesn’t mean anything good or pleasant. Even if intended as a compliment or term of endearment, for lack of the appropriate word to say, it comes off as an expression of anger, contempt or disgust. Saying it is a magnet for bad news and negative luck. The Universe gets offended. If we don’t want bad things to happen, we need to keep the Universe happy!
I wish that we could have an “f” word police who will fine anyone heard saying it in public. At the rate that it’s uttered 24/7, every City will have a financial resource for the local government. Misbehaving motorists get fined for violating traffic law, and it should be alright for ordinary citizens to get fined for offensive language.
Chances are, my wish will simply get the "f" word from everyone who thinks it's nothing but an "f" word ridiculous idea.
