As I venture into this blogging world, navigating my way and finding my voice, I have recently found myself contemplating the use of profanity in posts and public profiles. Is it ever acceptable for a professional to use a crass word in an online space that is forever out there for the world to see? Or would it be better left for the Howard Sterns, the Chris Rocks and the Khloe Kardashions?

Personally, I am okay with sprinkling in a colorful word or two, if it is done tactfully. For instance, I try to avoid online swearing in times of anger, I don’t direct it towards people, and I contemplate other adjectives that could also get my point across. I justify my potty-mouth by saying that people don’t want to interact with a robot who has carefully calculated each word and sounds like a well-crafted PR pitch. They want someone with personality, who they can relate to and who is multidimensional. And, because sometimes it is just simply the best way to get the point across and bring humor into the mix.

My loving father, however, scolds me for my use of online swearing. Concerned about my online reputation he tells me that it is “nasty language to put on the World Wide Web.” His point is sound. And the truth is anyone can read my blog and form an opinion about who they think I am – my boss, my Grandma (okay, maybe not Grandma, but Aunts and Uncles). My future employers’ first impressions for the remainder of my career (did I mention I’m only 24) will be largely determined by a Google search. It is likely that someone, at some point, will look at my work and have the same reaction as my dad, feel it is unnecessary and vulgar.

Rather than simply write Dad off as an out-of-touch Boomer who doesn’t understand us Millennials, I decided to bring the question to you. All you SM and PR experts, gurus and practitioners. You bloggers and seasoned professionals. What is your online curse-word policy?

Photo credit: Solidstate on Flickr