donna723
Well-Known Member
This is my second or third rant on this same subject but it just happened again! OK, maybe it's just me but I do NOT appreciate being called "Sweetie" by some new little teenage grocery checker who is young enough to be my grandchild! I give her a few points for trying to be pleasant but this kid isn't a day over 17 and I am 63! To me, it sounds very disrespectul and over-familiar! Kids that age may call each other things like that, but if they wouldn't say it to one of their teachers, they better not say it to me either!
First she said, "Are you managing to stay warm today, Sweetie?", and a little chill went through me - I just gave her an evil look that apparently went right over her head but I said nothing. Then as I was gathering up my bags she says, "Do you need some help with that, Honey?"! Now a few years ago I would have gritted my teeth and said nothing but I don't do that anymore. I just stopped dead in my tracks and after a thoughtful pause I said, "I really prefer not to be called "Honey" or "Sweetie"! I'm old enough to be your grandmother and when you call me that, it comes off as very disrespectful and condescending!" She went blank for a minute, then giggled and said, "It's just a habit". And as soon as I left, she probably ran over to the head cashier asking, "What did I do?"
And if she really knew me well enough to use those familiarities, she would have known that I'm not all that "sweet"! Quite honestly, I think I would prefer, "Have a nice day, b*tch!" over "Honey" or "Sweetie" coming from a 17 year old! Some days that's a lot closer to the truth!
First she said, "Are you managing to stay warm today, Sweetie?", and a little chill went through me - I just gave her an evil look that apparently went right over her head but I said nothing. Then as I was gathering up my bags she says, "Do you need some help with that, Honey?"! Now a few years ago I would have gritted my teeth and said nothing but I don't do that anymore. I just stopped dead in my tracks and after a thoughtful pause I said, "I really prefer not to be called "Honey" or "Sweetie"! I'm old enough to be your grandmother and when you call me that, it comes off as very disrespectful and condescending!" She went blank for a minute, then giggled and said, "It's just a habit". And as soon as I left, she probably ran over to the head cashier asking, "What did I do?"
And if she really knew me well enough to use those familiarities, she would have known that I'm not all that "sweet"! Quite honestly, I think I would prefer, "Have a nice day, b*tch!" over "Honey" or "Sweetie" coming from a 17 year old! Some days that's a lot closer to the truth!