Are the expressions "pissed" and "pissed off" inappropriate?

Another culture-dependent question.

Both are regarded as profane in the UK; they are commonly used, but generally not in polite company. Whether it would get bleeped on television depends on context, and particularly whether they are before or after the watershed.

I get the impression, and it is only an impression from television, that both terms are somewhat more acceptable in the US. That is, I've heard them used, particularly pissed, in surprisingly polite company.

Note: Pissed off is universally understood, but pissed has different meanings. In North America, it is synonymous with pissed off, but in the UK it means 'inebriated'. Also, we are fond of telling people to 'piss off!' which means something different still...

I remember the end of Monty Python Live at The Hollywood Bowl, after the final encore, 'Piss Off' is used with comedic effect to dismiss the audience. Script]

It depends on your audience. They wouldn't be appropriate for an audience of children (say, Sesame Street), but probably ok for a late night comedy show (say, Adult Swim or stand up). For a work setting, I would avoid using them except when you really need to express anger and vitriol, and even then there are more appropriate ways to say it.

And of course, among your friends you should often try to say things that piss them off :)

I consider it a swear word. It is not something I was allowed to say growing up, and it is not something I let my kids say. All of the terms come from a rude word for urination similar to the 's' word for defecation. No one I know from kids to teens to adults says this word in polite company (at work or at church or in public). I am in the midwest US.