Cursing in the workplace

What is up with cursing in the workplace? Is it really necessary? Why can't people have conversations without using curse words? And why oh why do they apologize prior to saying the curse word? Now, I could understand a curse word slipping out in the midst of anger, or some other emotion, and then apologizing but to apologize first? That makes no sense to me at all! If you know you are going to curse, and you know someone within hearing distance will not appreciate it, don't apologize . . . Just use a different word instead of the curse word!