Four Ways To Sound Immature

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There’s a certain age when wearing athletic shoes and a tee-shirt to a meeting is no longer appropriate. Likewise, I recommend dropping the following bad habits if you would like respect as an English student.

Swearing and foul language

Bad language may be overused in films and music but it actually has a precise function. If English is your second language you’re likely using these words incorrectly. When you add an accent the result usually sounds childish or even comical. I once had an argument which resulted in the neighborhood thug being called in to “teach me a lesson”. He was well over two meters tall, full of muscle, covered in prison tattoos, and quite intimidating until he opened his mouth. His first words were “Sheet bool, I upfuck you!”. I couldn’t keep myself from laughing and half the crowd that had gathered soon followed suit. In embarrassment he swung at me with an awkward and misguided punch. When he missed it gave me the opportunity to end the confrontation and he lost all respect on my block.

Outdated or overused business jargon

Adults use words like orientation, integration, or familiarize instead of onboard or onboarding. If your last name is Psaki you can sound intelligent circling back. Otherwise avoid this term like the plaque. In the same way, why say “utilize” when you can simply say “use”…