<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Goldlust:
... is this just American puritanism?
Strange because the Americans I have met don't seem so bothered by my use of the English vocabulary. Not that I swear all the time it just seems strange that the airlines would edit the original scenes just because of "dirty" words.</font>
(1) Yes, it is American puritanism.
(2) No, we are not generally bothered by proper use of the vocabulary.
(3) However, airlines, corporations, et. al., ARE. For instance, it is perfectly acceptable in most European nations to use the word "penis" in a sentence. It is also, techincally, perfectly acceptable to use that word in general conversation here. BUT, do it in a corporate environment, and you are gonna get some funny looks.
Don't look for any logic in this. WE don't all necessarily like the double and triple standards, either. But you wouldn't think so y looking at how we deal with similar issues like sex education in school, birth control programs, etc. There are a large number of people who subscribe to the Archie Bunker school here: "My kids can learn about that on the street just like I did!"
I am reminded of a Christmas dinner at our house a few years ago, when we forgot to put out ketchup(catsup), mayonnaise, mustard and pickle relish on the table until after the meal started. Among the guests was my brother-in-law who was a Southern Baptist minister and his family. I said, "Oh, here are the condiments!" as I got up and put them on the table. Dead silence. Everyone looked off into space for just about 2 heartbeats, until they realized I was saying condiments, not "condoms" or something similar! I mean, dang!, people!
I guess I probably should present some view from the other side here, but all I gotta say about that is,
"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes."
Thanx for a very good question!
[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 09-10-2001).]