You Should

In trying to come up with examples, the other day, of where “should” should be used (harr harr,) I missed the blatantly obvious. This is fairly typical of me and should be taken as a prime example of my mind-boggling competency. I know, I know, it's kind of intimidating, but try not to let my perfection frighten you.

After all that about “should” being a moralistic, judgmental word precision-engineered to make people feel like eight-year-olds caught wetting the bed, I somehow failed to think that, oh yeah, sometimes you really need a word like that! You really shouldn't beat your spouse. You shouldn't swindle people, you shouldn't be condescending, you shouldn't be a bigot. You should be polite, generous, empathic and kind. You should tip your editor generously, of course, and you shouldn't write a will specifying that your mortal remains be taxidermied in a sexy pose and left in your nemesis's* bathtub (but it would be freakin' hilarious if you did.)

In short, “should” has its place in situations where the consequence of doing or not doing whatever is in question is of an ethical nature.