(no subject)

[novapsyche]

Interesting post in feminist regarding Obama's use of the word "sweetie" in reference to a female reporter.

(Ever since I heard about this exchange, I've been troubled by it. I don't know how to reconcile it.)

Comments

[pgdudda.livejournal.com]

Getting called "sweetie" tends to raise my hackles, because I read it as a dismissive term of address when uttered by anyone I don't consider (at minimum) a very close friend. The only people who get a pass on "sweetie", "hon", and/or "luv" are ladies over the age of 70, who grew up hearing young people addressed that way by their own elders. But it still annoys me. If you know me well enough to use "sweetie", you certainly know my first name. And if you don't know my first name, you definitely do not have permission to call me "sweetie" or "hon".

Of course, YMMV, and there's apparently cultural context, but there's my take on it.