Discussion: Sorry Ladies, Cussing Improves Performance!

New British research shows that letting out a violent swearing streak of the most foul cuss words at the point of maximum effort, improves performance and outcome:

....rude swearing led to significant improvements in performance compared with uttering ‘neutral’ words...during the 10-second grip task, the individuals uttering swear words increased their strength by the equivalent of 2.1kg...

So next spring, at your first O meet, don't be surprised if 'The hills are alive with the sound of....swearing!'

Fun study but I'm not sure why you're bringing gender into it with your condescending 'ladies' comment. It's 2019! Women swear too.

I'm also pretty sure that swearing would not lead to improvements in very technical / mental activities like orienteering...

Just tried swearing at this stupid and sexist post. Did not improve its performance or outcome. Sorry ladies!

Thanks Super. I needed that comment in my day!

I have heard of people being disqualified at events for using audible obscenities on the course in both Australia and the UK.

I once had a UK runner try to get me disqualified from a race because I told him he should not be drinking directly from the communal water jugs. Apparently I didn't use colourful enough language.

Well I guess I'm just a bit old-fashioned in that regard. Tend to treat women with a bit more care and respect....and avoid using foul language in their presence. And I believe most women avoid vulgarities too, when in mixed company, despite a classic Curb episode...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrW80uaKG1M

My experience is swearing does not make me navigate any better, but navigating bad sure makes me swear better.

What the f*** is this thread about? (I apologize to all the women if my indelicate words cause your ovaries to fall out.)

Also +1 Jagge.

I asked a friend of mine if he ever talked to himself while orienteering, and he replied "only in expletives."

What is the appropriate response to someone trying to steal your map in the forest as happens all too often in Europe?

Hold tight! Fortunately I've only encountered this once and I held my ground.

I tend to start barking.

Well I guess I'm just a bit old-fashioned

I think you misspelled "sexist".

My husband's a truck driver and he has taught me to swear inventively...
(We tried not to do so around the dog's delicate young ears, but now that he's so old he's deaf it doesn't matter.)

Nothing like a spicy Attackpoint thread to get you through the week

"Well I guess I'm just a bit old-fashioned in that regard. Tend to treat women with a bit more care and respect....and avoid using foul language in their presence. And I believe most women avoid vulgarities too..."

I've never been compelled to comment on an AP thread before but this is hilarious! You're welcome to any of my training sessions to change your mind...

This reminds me of the famous orienteering family, the Fakawis. Their trademark is running around the forest shouting, “where the Fakawi?!” Don’t think they won many races though.

"We're the Fakawi!". Native American tribe, related to the Hekawi of F-Troop (who were originally supposed to be the Fugawi until network censors figured it out).

The appropriate response to map stealers is in a language they don't understand, delivered with guttural tones, weird gestures, and a maniacal expression.

In theory the appropriate response to map stealers is a protest, but I tried that once and didn't get anywhere for lack of witnesses.

What is the appropriate response to someone trying to steal your map in the forest as happens all too often in Europe?

"map stealer" --- what are you talking about??? Is this some kind of flash mob in this thread?

Well, you could file down the tip of your thumb compass to a razor-sharp point and use that for defense against map stealers (also useful for Aussie drop bears and Wyoming attack badgers). But a more humane solution might be to scream "bees" while waving your arms as if fighting off an imaginary swarm.

Second map in your pocket to give away might be amusing.

Turning your thumb compass into a shiv...so gangsta! ;-)

Don't worry, Chitownclark was talking about *ladies.* We female orienteers are *women.*

I've been known to "swear like a sailor" (according to one Naval Academy orienteer) when I'm lost/hurt/mad at myself for yet another stupid mistake. And yeah, it does kind of make me orienteer better ... (maybe not).

Some of my best swearers are women.

I knew exactly who initiated this thread before I clicked on it.

I should get round to reading the article at some point, but for now I'm just enjoying the thread

He keeps things interesting enough :-)

I hardly ever swear. I save it for something big like stepping on a snake, dropping dinner on the floor or being called a f%$#*# "lady" ;)

So, uh, I have been orienteering in Europe for around 35 years now, and not once has anyone tried to steal my map. Is this some kind of "fake news" you are being fed over there in shut-down-land? Honestly, please explain...

It happened to me once in seven years of living in Europe, so I’m not sure I would characterize it as “all too often” but it does happen. And by “stealing” I mean that the person waited at the control and then grabbed the map to figure out where he was, then gave it back. So it was more like borrowing.

Enforced borrowing?

I simply do not swear, I have never felt the need for it. Is it anything wrong with me?

I swear there is.

I've had people try to grab my map twice in Europe in the 1990s (oddly enough, both times in a World University Championships).

When they call out to each other and discuss where they might be, they don’t have to pinch your map!

Had mine pinched twice at Oceania in Qld by 50-60?? male. Probably because I was slow enough exiting a control for him to catch me. He didn't speak English to me so it took longer to snatch my map back and go on my way. A country woman of his shook her head when she saw what happened and beckoned me to the (right) control.