(no subject)

[rm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/us/07aging.html

Fascinating article on the harm of addressing seniors with elder-speak.

But what really struck me? The toll of words like "sweetie" and "dear" that the article notes are also used for children in a way that can also be disrespectful and isolating. What the article doesn't note: is that these words are used in the same way on women of all ages, and yes, it makes us angry and uncooperative too.

Comments

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

Lots of regional variation, I think. I never hear these endearments around here (CA) except of course to children and probably also to the elderly, so those would definitely come across as insulting. However, in travelling in the south and in Britain, I hear "dear" in the former and "luv" in the latter *everywhere*, women to women, women to men, men to women (but not men to men tho *sometimes* I've heard "boy" or "guvna") so it seems to reduce the overall impact when directed at children or the elderly.

It's a complex issue, certainly. I do love the woman quoted in there who said she sprinkled profanity in her speech to get people to knock it off :-).