Everyone is sitting, standing, or walking around fairly timidly. Only a couple people know each other. Most everyone else is unfamiliar with the atmosphere and people around them.
Those that are talking are sharing stories, experiences, or just small talk.
There may be an adult presence or leadership figure in the room.
People are talking.
But, no one is cussing.
I’ve noticed this observing many new, unfamiliar group atmospheres as described above. When a group gets together and members are unfamiliar, to a degree, with one another, no one uses foul language. There seems to be a socially understood level of politeness and respect for first time encounters.
Until, there is at least one person that out of a habit of cussing, lets it slip in front of the group, the adult, or just in their conversation group. That one person breaks the ice regardless of where the person apologized or express embarrassment for cussing.
Once one person cusses, others realize, whether consciously or unconsciously, that it’s okay for them to cuss as well. They become comfortable because there are like people around them, and they realize they won’t be the only one cussing. Soon many individuals from various circles within the group begin freely letting cuss word fly in conversation.
Try it sometime. The next time you are in a new, fairly unfamiliar group where not too many people know each other “intimately,” remain aware of how much cussing you hear. At the beginning, you may here none to very little, but once you here a couple people cuss, take note of how the rate of cussing changes after that occurrence.