At Competition

[GaryVoshol]

For those who find nothing wrong with swearing at FIRST events, try slipping a few expletives into your Chairman's presentation and see the reaction you get. Then have the students use the same words in the classrooms they return to on Monday morning.

It's not simply a case of inappropriate words in places where women (*) and children might hear them. It's a case of using inappropriate words in inappropriate places. A quick slip in the heat of the moment is one thing, but if you can't string three sentences together without using a dozen swear words, you need to re-evaluate your speech patterns.

(*) - by the way, in a case that went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court a few years ago, a law was invalidated regarding swearing in front of women. A guy was tipped out of his canoe and let out a string that could be heard half a mile away. He was brought up on charges, but eventually the conviction was overturned and the case dismissed because the law specified it applied in the presence of women.

[Akash Rastogi]

As per our team, the upper classmen know not to curse, the freshman and us sophomores still get too riled up though sometimes. I recently made a presentation that addressed the issue and it actually worked. The freshies realized that they are representing an award winning team and that "got to them"

I'm not sure if you can really "ban" it from competition though, like stated above, its human and its just like any other competition where kids are having fun and also losing/winning. Now, you might say that its not like any other competition, but that b/c kids actually learn here in FIRST, other than that, it is still a competition that we all take very seriously. And in serious competition comes serious involvement. This could lead to some cursing if a robot topples over in an eliminations match or if it gets disabled in your last qualifier. It really hurts.

That's my own $0.02 though. MORT already discourages regular cussing as an adjective for any sentence-be it the sutdent is angry or using it for the sole purpose of as an adjective.

[JaneYoung]

It's pretty simple to me.
a. cussing/foul language under any circumstances shows a lack of professionalism and respect for self, team, and organization.

b. cussing/foul language shows lack of restraint and self control.
There is more to the competition aspect of FIRST than controlling the robot, there is the self-control factor.

Kindness and respect are a big part of how we conduct ourselves as members of FIRST.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Cuss and swear words are in the English language. They have their place within the language and a time and place for their usage.

That being said, people need to learn to tailor their language to their audience (or possible audience). Since there are many different people around the pits (children, men, women, etc,etc,etc) we should be on our best behavior and choose words that have the least chance of offending anyone.

I doubt very many of you would use cuss and swear words at a job interview. The reason for that is that you are trying to make a good impression upon the person that you are interviewing with. Even though that is a pressure packed interview, you still only use proper unoffensive language. The same should be in the pits of a FIRST competition. Whether you realize it or not, you are making an impression of FIRST in all people that pass by your pit.

I wonder if FIRST has ever considered installing a 'primal scream' room at each regional.

[K-Dawg]

First of all I was not talking about the occasional slip. We were pitted by three teams that used foul language regularly in their conversation.

As per my up bringing Foul language is never appropriate but less appropriate around Young ladies and families. I would not want someone cursing around my mother, sister, or daughter. Does this make me less of a person? No, I believe it shows proper manners and concern for others.

Thanks for all the feedback,
K-dawg

[D_Price]

Which teams were they so that we could be able to address the issue.

[JaneYoung]

Many teams have a code of conduct as part of their expectations within their team. It is often written up in their handbook, business plan, and/or agreement that is signed at the beginning of the year, stating that the team member is aware of the expectations and rules and will abide by them. This would include mentors,students, parents who are members of the team.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Hell918

Which teams were they so that we could be able to address the issue.

I don't think a public announcement should be made as to what teams have people who swear on them and who's do not.

Please let's not turn this into a witch hunt here & blacklist certain teams.

K-Dawg knows who it was, and came to us for some advice. If they run into this situation again, they have to make a decision as to what to do.

Let's not single out the swearing team. This isn't about singling out the bad apples, it's about how to deal with the folks who aren't acting as professional as you would like them to if the case arises.

[K-Dawg]

Which particular teams it was this time is not important. I have seen this problem at every completion sometimes worse than others.
I don’t mean for it to sound like it is always happening it has just been bad enough for me to notice it every time. These young ladies I am sure have heard it before and possible used it before but, their parents have trusted me with them and I don’t think a school activity is the place to just let that type of language go. It really surprised me to see how many mentors where allowing this without saying anything.

Thanks again,
K-dawg

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

It's pretty simple to me.
a. cussing/foul language under any circumstances shows a lack of professionalism and respect for self, team, and organization.

b. cussing/foul language shows lack of restraint and self control.
There is more to the competition aspect of FIRST than controlling the robot, there is the self-control factor.

Kindness and respect are a big part of how we conduct ourselves as members of FIRST.

Dittos !!

It is very safe to say that a major part of what a team is doing is marketing the mission and values of FIRST to the general public. And there is just simply no accommodation for ill behavior.

If we have done our homework we should be surrounded by the public at our events. Just last weekend at the Peachtree we had 2nd and 3rd grade girl scouts in our booth and their grandmothers.

So I'm all for behaving.

[Chrisms]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

As per our team, the upper classmen know not to curse, the freshman and us sophomores still get too riled up though sometimes. I recently made a presentation that addressed the issue and it actually worked. The freshies realized that they are representing an award winning team and that "got to them"

I'm not sure if you can really "ban" it from competition though, like stated above, its human and its just like any other competition where kids are having fun and also losing/winning. Now, you might say that its not like any other competition, but that b/c kids actually learn here in FIRST, other than that, it is still a competition that we all take very seriously. And in serious competition comes serious involvement. This could lead to some cursing if a robot topples over in an eliminations match or if it gets disabled in your last qualifier. It really hurts.

That's my own $0.02 though. MORT already discourages regular cussing as an adjective for any sentence-be it the sutdent is angry or using it for the sole purpose of as an adjective.

i'd like to add on to what Akash said. Since this OP is a mentor, and thus out of school quite some time i'd imagine, I'd suggest you ask your school to allow you to eat lunch in the cafeteria one day. You'll think that FIRST kids are angles compared to what you hear in the cafeterias.

that being said, i don't advocate any sexist comments, cursing, etc. But we are all human, and i'm sure you yourself have caught yourself muttering a curse when your bot breaks.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Chrisms

i'd like to add on to what Akash said. Since this OP is a mentor, and thus out of school quite some time i'd imagine, I'd suggest you ask your school to allow you to eat lunch in the cafeteria one day. You'll think that FIRST kids are angles compared to what you hear in the cafeterias.

You think high school is bad...Try college. 'Nuff said.

If you ever hear me cursing, come over and knock me over the head or otherwise get my attention and tell me about it. I try not to curse, but we're all human...

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by EricH

If you ever hear me cursing, come over and knock me over the head...

So now we've gone from cursing to you reccomending physical abuse as a cure for it... greaaat...

Let's hope no one uses that approach.

Btw, I know what you meant... Just something to get your attention. You don't expect someone to come over and randomly hit you. lol I just thought that was a rather ironic way you said it compared to the current problem at hand.

What's the saying?? "Stick & stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me"?
Obviously the person who wrote that never heard of the field of psychology.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

So now we've gone from cursing to you reccomending physical abuse as a cure for it... greaaat...

Let's hope no one uses that approach.

Let's hope they don't have to.

[jumpe1990]

So aside from the fact that this is a mentor driven post about a mentor coupled (is that the word I want?) problem let's get more student input.

I understand that obscenities are a big problem and the problem needs to be adressed but it can only be adressed on a personal level. If you considers others around you further then those you are comfortable with (who are in your pit) than you choose not to cuss.
One thing I don't understand is why it poses such a big problem. What has a cuss word ever done to someone? ESPECIALLY in a song, I mean what kind of... stuff....is that??
And a it's a bit chauvinistic (sp?) to target males as the majority source of the problem, in fact I think the mentors are the major culprits in this foul language...thing? xD
But ya know, maybe it's just me, everyone here on this team has parents in the army and our mentors are majority armed forces enlisted. Cussing is accepted easily here I suppose.
That's just my rant =\