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Originally Posted by Supple Cow
I wish people would stop reading into certain of them so much in situations where the intention is clearly not malicious..
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The intent may not be malicious, but it's also not respectful to the person that is being spoken to. I take some offence at being called a girl, because I am clearly not a girl, I am a grown woman, it's disprespectful. I am not someone's "hon" or "dear" it may just be a word but words do have power -- substitute Yo bitch in there - -bitch is just a word... I might take offence to that unless someone really knew me well. Words are just words, but when you use them for other people, other people's feelings should be taken into consideration.
Caroline, who is a gate agent for American Airlines, in Terminal A in Newark, NJ wears a name tag that says "Oh Miss" on it. First time I saw it I cracked up, then she explained, that is how she is referred to so she might as well have it be her name. Occassionally, I'll hear someone call her "hon", and she'll point to her name tag and say her name is "oh miss" please address her accordingly... After seeing her name tag, it really made me aware of how I address people. I would never use hon, or dear, or even Oh Miss, generally if I want someone's attention who I do not know, a simple excuse me is my introduction.