Cussing at the crag

Stich wrote:Too much cussing is the hallmark of the redneck peckerwood. You want to be like that? You go back to your doublewide now and think about it.

This is true.
Sadly, I am a perpetrator.

Sarcasm Below

Move to Provo, UT, home of the Latter Day Saints' private university.
Climb at the gym by the dollar theater in the winter and Rock Canyon/AF in the off season.
If any one so much as thinks a curse word inside the holy bubble that protects Utah Valley, the very ground opens up, masticating the offense from the sight of the righteous.

Sarcasm Above

Seriously, though…I'm a Dad, too. I find that people swear or otherwise behave in a way that is inappropriate for children all the time, not just at the crags. Use good judgement at all times with your children. Most importantly, I feel it is the parents responsibility to educate their child so that they don't grow up to be a foul mouthed crag sprayer or something worse…like a hold enhancer/chipper.

There are plenty of climbers/people that do not want to have children around them and see them as a negative. When taking the kiddos, we always look for either another family or an area/crag that is empty. We introduce ourselves to any one else at the crag and just try to be genuine, friendly and respectful. i.e. if we showed up at the only crag available and there was already a large group and the children were fussy…we would just change plans for the day.

Being a parent that climbs, one must remember that they are a parent first, climber second.

josh holmes wrote: Being a parent that climbs, one must remember that they are a parent first, climber second.

lol, I had to get lowered halfway up a route yesterday to go spot my 4 year old on her 5.4 solo up the side of the cliff. We both sent our projects yesterday.

T Roper wrote: lol, I had to get lowered halfway up a route yesterday to go spot my 4 year old on her 5.4 solo up the side of the cliff. We both sent our projects yesterday.

Awesome!!

josh holmes wrote:Use good judgement at all times with your children. Most importantly, I feel it is the parents responsibility to educate their child so that they don't grow up to be a foul mouthed crag sprayer or something worse…like a hold enhancer/chipper.

I think this is an important point. This is a parenting issue, not a climbing issue. Kids are going to hear things parents don't want them to hear. I was raised in a religious bubble in the conservative south--went to private christian schools and everything--and I heard a lot worse at school by the time I was 10 than what I hear at the crag.

You can't police everybody--every other parent who lets their kids curse, every overworked teacher that can't monitor every playground spat, every passing skateboarder as you walk your kids through the park, or, yes, every climber who lets one fly at the crux. I guess you could try, but it wouldn't be a very pleasant experience.

You CAN teach your kids that what they are hearing is inappropriate, that it's mean, that they should not repeat what they hear. I mean, really, it feeds into a larger approach to parenting. It's abstinence vs. sex ed. You can either try to protect your kids from the world (you will fail), or how to be smart, courteous members the world.

Sean Brady wrote:So, I have a thought on this. I used to a be a screaming cusser. I mean, freak out yelling f-bombs when I was getting my ass kicked. I've since stopped, and try not to cuss at all, much less yell anything but the usual grunting, etc. I even try to keep that to a minimum. I feel that it not only degrades the experience of the people around you, but it also degrades YOUR experience and helps reinforce any self doubt that may be present in your mind. How are you supposed to visualize sending when you are clearly stuck on the failure? Either way I think it's something that we should try to keep to a minimum, for all our sakes.

^One of the best responses on this thread.

I used to be that guy too... I'm sure longtime partners will recall. I'm not sure why people are focusing so much on how it affects kids. I think the more important concern (disclaimer: not a parent) is to keep in mind the touchy access issues that exist in many areas. Here in Wyomont, we're lucky enough to have a plethora of crags in the middle of nowhere, but i'm sure there are plenty of spots in which land management is actively looking for ways and reasons to build a case against climbers. Don't give them an easy one.

Thank you all for the logical responses.

I agree whole heartedly that parents have the obligation to teach their kids the difference between ethical and non ethical behavior. That includes being a disruptive influence at the crag. My kids grew up playing with old quickdraws as toys so I could never buy into the philosophy of isolating them from other climbers. They will climb, and they will be around other climbers, and they will be respectful (at least on my watch.)

I guess my only real distinction would be that there is a difference between the use of well placed colorful language and distasteful spewing and foul ranting. I really didn't even need to bring my kids into it, I don't particularly like it myself.

BTW if my kids ever walk under your rope, please feel free to cuss the little buggers out.

Locker said....

"Leave the dogs and kids at home with the babysitter where they BELONG, then take Franks advice and

Locker... WHY do you hate on the PUPS so much.... just wondering.

This thread was pure gold. I wish you the best of luck dad and I agree you should ATTEMPT to watch your mouth around kids but there are certian times where it just comes out sadly. Also if you enjoy throwing around the F bomb around little kids then your COOL

This thread was pure gold. I wish you the best of luck dad and I agree you should ATTEMPT to watch your mouth around kids but there are certian times where it just comes out sadly. Also if you enjoy throwing around the F bomb around little kids then your COOL

I would venture to say climbers are not supposed to be role models. I mean, shit I don't wear shoes in public. I walk around barefoot unless I'm climbing. And I will swear in any situation, and to convey any emotion. If you don't want your child to be exposed to the negatives of climbing just find an empty crag. If they're children they won't really care.

Sometimes cussing IS the answer. Sometimes violence IS the answer. Sometimes a lie IS better than truth. Only real assholes do none of these things.

I never really understood cursing... Why does a parent who cusses all the time get mad at their kid for cussing?

If you don't want your kid to cuss than you know what... stop cussing yourself.

gription wrote:Sometimes cussing IS the answer. Sometimes violence IS the answer. Sometimes a lie IS better than truth. Only real assholes do none of these things.

Totally. For example, I could say "Hey Gription, why the f*ck did you steal my f*cking photo and use it as your f*cking MP picture? I mean sh*t man, can't I get some f*cking credit for that sh*t?"
Anybody who can't understand what I just said is total a @sshole. F*ck.

Locker wrote:People that are offended by cussing are generally conservative types. Squares.

Oh contraire Locker. I have a filthy f*cking mouth. I just know when to keep my stupid potty mouth shut when there are kids around because I'm not a total moron. And I'm about as liberal as they come, so I'm not sure that not swearing = conservative, but what the f*ck do I know.

Locker wrote:Knowing when to clam up and choosing not to cuss at all are two different things. Why the fuk don't you already fuking know that? What the fuking hell dude? Damn. ;-)

F*cking exactly. :)

wonderwoman wrote:I like the part where you mention if it has to do with your age. I am 40 years old and I swear like a sailor. Once someone dropped a big clump of rope on my face when I was leading at my limit. You don't even want to know the choice words that I screamed at them. I apologize. I am part of the problem, I suppose.

Are you single by chance??? If you are and would like to meet a very kewl guy hit me up, you can cuss at me all day lol...

J. Albers wrote: Totally. For example, I could say "Hey Gription, why the f*ck did you steal my f*cking photo and use it as your f*cking MP picture? I mean sh*t man, can't I get some f*cking credit for that sh*t?" Anybody who can't understand what I just said is total a @sshole. F*ck.

HAHAHAHA F#%kin' A Albers! You crack me up man! Did Grip really steal your pic for an Avatar? He does seem a bit off.

Glenn Schuler wrote: HAHAHAHA F#%kin' A Albers! You crack me up man! Did Grip really steal your pic for an Avatar? He does seem a bit off.

Yup, yup. And my pic even included a super clever Super Troopers reference!

mountainproject.com/v/10693…

OP, I cuss at the crag all the time and feel bad when I let one fly around kids. I would totally respect a parent asking me to choose my words more carefully around kids...........It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a crag to raise a climber.