Wash Your Wall Off With Soap

"Wash your wall off with soap" just doesn't have the same fear producing punch as the age old dreaded threat of "wash your mouth out with soap". Yet when the terms come into play, we're reminded that bad language is bad manners and unacceptable. Social media users would be best advised to remember the admonitions of Mom and Dad and watch their language both verbally and online. Even though close friends may talk the same language, cursing is considered offensive and disrespectful by most.  

Would you swear in a job interview? Of course not. Do you know that a future employer will never see your online posts? Of course not.

When you're at a family reunion would you let out an expletive studded tirade for all to hear? Not likely. Are any of your aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. 'friends' or followers on your online social sites? Yes, that's likely.

If you just spilled coffee all over your pants at the local coffee shop could an immediate reflex be a profanity? Possibly. Would others within earshot fully realize what provoked you to use the word and forgive and forget it? Probably. Could the same be said of a post you make today regarding the incident and your response if and when it's read 3 years from now? Doubtfully.

Many of us know first-hand the experience of the dreadful slip-of-the-tongue. Even a slight lapse can produce embarassment and apologies followed by explanations. More simply stated, sometimes the mouth starts running before the brain is engaged. Online behavior is at least one step less impulsive because we have a chance to read what we're typing before hitting send. Unless we're called out on the use of profanity online, we have no way of knowing who was offended so no apologies, explanations or offers of "pardon my French" will follow. Yet weeks, months and years later the post is still there, and so are the consequences. 

People tend to forget who their audience is on social media sites. Even though your online exchanges may be limited to just a couple dozen people, those who have access to your sites are likely to be numbered in the hundreds. And some of them, you haven't even met yet.

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