(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

[redwitch.livejournal.com]

I think maybe it's different in The South. I call everyone sweetie or darlin. As far as I know, no one gets angry or angsty about it. It's part of the dialect. But that may also be because I'm a woman, and maybe it's different coming from me than from a man.