Dubbo magistrate David Heilpern ruled that using the "f" word in public is now considered legally acceptable in Australia. Dismissing offensive language charges against a young man in the central NSW town who told a policeman to "F... off", magistrate Heilpern said: "One cannot walk down the streets of any of the towns in which I sit, day or night, without hearing the word or its derivatives used as a noun, verb, adjective, and indeed a term of affection. In court I am regularly confronted by witnesses who seem physically unable to speak without using the word in every single sentence. The law does not deal with trifles. Case dismissed".
(Source: The Australian)
In another case Police are appealing against magistrate Pat O'Shane O'Shane's dismissal of an offensive behaviour charge against a Canberra man, Rufus Richardson, with the award of $2,600 costs, for making an offensive finger gesture and allegedly, and less-than-eloquently, informing police "Youse are effed".
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Update:-
I just found this story about how the F-word is viewed in the UK:-
Sarah Webb-Lee, 39, a Manchester United fan from Stockport, England, had a car sticker which read: "On the first day God created United then completely [expletive] up and created City."
Following a complaint from a member of the public, police officers told her to take it down and she refused, but later agreed to have a letter removed. Police said the swear word used breached public order legislation.
(Source: BBC News)
Personally I don't use it (much), but I'm amazed that such a fuss is made and court cases are brought against people who do.