Posted by Mark Bossi (M.A. Bossi, Esquire) from Toronto Ontario Canada on January 22, 2021 at 18:55:15:
In Reply to: Re: My Virgin Ears posted by Dav Langstroth on January 21, 2021 at 21:43:37:
The instructors on a certain course were forbidden from swearing in front of the students - however, they were free to dream up creative ways of expressing their displeasure. In the end, when I saw the course critiques, I was amazed at how many students mentioned that they were impressed at the discipline of our instructors (as compared to instructors from other courses who swore freely) - furthermore, the students saw this as mutual respect, which they appreciated. Eighteen of these students went on to finish first or second in their platoons that summer. Not sure, however, if Dave will ever forgive me for fining instructors who swore in front of the students (in hindsight, he did spend more time than usual deciding what to say next when he was mad).
By the way, I'm the first to admit it's quite challenging to mind your manners when you're on the verge of losing it in anger - I'm glad none of you heard me at the hockey rink this week - in retrospect, it was embarassing (hmmm ... self-control, discipline, imagination, ... trademarks of a good soldier?)
Of course, my favourite story is the one about the RSM of the Black Watch on church parade: As the Regiment marched into the church, one unfortunate forgot to remove his headdress - prompting the RSM to roar "TAKE YOUR HAT OFF IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, YOU C**T!!"
Dileas.