There's an old saying that your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins. The meaning is simple: You can do what you want to do, but you don't have the right to harm me.

Although using foul language doesn't physically harm the people who have to listen to it, it is offensive to many. And the increased coarseness of our language contributes to the overall coarseness and lack of civility in society.

You may see nothing wrong with using profanity or ethnic slurs, or telling "dirty" jokes, but it will affect how others see you. In general, crude behavior doesn't ever enhance your reputation and it will damage you in the eyes of many of those you would like to impress.

Even saying or doing things only when you are with your friends can be dangerous. It desensitizes you to the sting of certain words and can lead to a slip-up and embarrassment in a public setting.

In short, don't say things you wouldn't say if your mother or your pastor were in the room. Chances are that the crude or negative thing you were thinking of saying wouldn't benefit anyone, and it may just come back to bite you on the, uh, behind.

Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the IdeaLady, Cathy Stucker helps authors, entrepreneurs and professionals attract customers and make themselves famous. Get free tips and more in her weekly ezine. Subscribe at http://www.IdeaLady.com/