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I often call women sweetheart.
To all the Women who post here, please tell me is that offensive? I mean no harm by it, but would like to know if it is, and why?
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Comments (18)
Well I'm not a woman, but I got the impression from the reporter herself that she considered it more unprofessional than offensive. And it is, unprofessional, thus the apology.
The reporter herself was not offended, but did seem ticked off that he hadn't answered her question.
May 15, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess I see that. Wasn't defending Obama because I could see why a woman in that position might take it that way. As you lay it out and what I already perceived, he should apologize. Sometimes internalize things and started thinking, have I ever been un-intentionaly sexist, thought about things I should own up too. I hope the ladies tell me, but I think you may have answered that as well. In a professional enviroment it's a no no! What about the times I get real close to women, even in the work environment...I play around allot. Hell they even call me sweetheart. I love women, so sometimes that comes out in a loving way, you know....
May 15, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a woman. Most women can tell the difference between a sexist remark or a flirting remark and a term of endearment. You can tell by tone of voice. Facial expression. Even the kind of touch.
I shook hands with Barack Obama. It was a handshake. A handshake accompanied by eye contact. There was no sexism involved. No put-down. No flirtatiousness. Earnest. An honest handshake with respectful eye contact.
Had he called me a term of endearment, I would have been honored.
May 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cool TheraP...I guess it's that fine line between flirting and a genuine endearing term that I sometimes run into....
Thanks..:)
May 15, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm swooning. You are so lucky. Yes, I crush on him - if it bothers anyone, ignore me.
If he called me "sweetie" I'd faint.
May 15, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I extend to you the hand that shook his hand!
May 15, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lol...
May 15, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like yor take on it. If you don't mind my asking, if you saw the video, did you think it was sexist or a put down? I got the impression he was moving over for a photo-opp and he was trying to not field answers at that point. If he had been at a podium and opened the flor for questions, I think it would be different.
BTW: Women call me sweattie all the time. Mainly waitress and cashiers. But co-workers have too. I always strive to be nice and friendly,(not flirtatios though), I take it as a compliment. I think sometimes customers can come off in a condescending manner, so perhaps it's just a way off showing appreciation.
May 15, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely not, darlin'. ;)
I'm from the south - I call everyone darlin, love, babygirl, boo, you name it.
It's downright nauseating.
LOL!!!
May 15, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks T....:)
May 15, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a woman, I've called people "sweetie" in professional settings without thinking. The couple of times I did that I was so embarrassed and quickly apologized.
I've also been called sweetie by friends and darling while shopping. The context is critical but I am reluctant to use the term offensive in a general sense. I think more often than not, it is just simply inappropriate in a professional setting.
May 15, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree when I think about it.....Funny though, I dont even think about it when I do it...Thanks for the feedback on that...
May 15, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
How the holy fucking hell can anyone be offended by "sweetie" after George Bush hung the most demeaning nicknames all over the press, his cabinet, foreign heads of state - I mean come on -
Pooty Poot!
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezuz - how did sensitivity suddenly get so very high?
May 15, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Things are being exploiting because of all the hurt feelings. Also, the woman who are voting strictly because they are getting older and think this is their last opportunity to have a woman..I can just imagine how sensitive they are. Still though, its funny. Ive called my manager sweetheart before and didnt think twice, and from what I thought, she thought it was endearing on all ocassions.....Probably depends on the person....
May 15, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I work at an NPR station and accidentally called one of my reporters 'hun' over the phone. When I saw her in the office it was a brief awkward silence followed by hearty laughter. The setting I was in (vacation) kind of skewed my internal sense of professionalism. We still laugh about it today!
May 15, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol...allot worse things have happened in the vacations setting...:)
May 15, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
True dat!
May 15, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually Randy,(hope you were responding to me..Lol) I have not seen the clip of it. So I guess I really should before I say whether Im defending him or not or he should apologize. Based off what Ive read though and givin that he is in a race with a Woman who is losing, and will not at any moment hesitate to cry foul, sometimes for good reasons(if he was being dismissive) or sometimes not, it's probably a bad move. I still need to watch though. It's crazy though, I cant see myself in most cases saying sweetheart to the Director because in most cases she may not know me well enough, but my managers...shuuuut.... I dont even know Im saying it and they have never called me on it. I admit though, I can use it in a flirtatous way as well, like when single and in a club or something, just as well....This is a trip...
May 15, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
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