Just my take on "Sweetie-gate"

[Dbdmjs1022]

Ok, just an example of how these terms are thrown around, and why most people don't find them to be a big deal.

My college graduation was yesterday (side note: WOOHOO), so obviously there were a lot of people about: friends, family, faculty. I spent most of the time post-ceremony with my family, my girlfriend, and her family. Now I don't use the term "sweetie" often, but I call pretty much all of my girl friends, including my actual girlfriend, "baby" all the time. Never before have any of them expressed any problem with it, as they just find it a sign of friendship. I use it with the same frequency that I use the terms "bro" or "dude" when talking to my guy friends. Yesterday I must have called 20+ different girls "baby" in full view of my family, my gf, and her family, as we all said our goodbyes, congratulations, etc. And never once did they even give it a second look. No awkward stares, no condemning whispers, nothing. They didn't care.

Now, to be fair, if I'd called my girl's mom, or any of the parents or faculty "baby" that'd be an issue, because they're more than just "friends". But the point is that the term is, to me at least, just a sign of friendship and closeness to my peers, no different from calling other guys "dude." Now obviously I don't know what's in Obama's mind, but if I had to guess I'd think he uses "sweetie" in a similar manner: that is, it's a way to show that the people he's talking too are people who he respects and considers to be his equals.

Just my 2 cents.

[anonymous171]

1. Hillaryists: Attack on Hillary=Attack on all women. Attack on Michelle Obama= legitimate criticism

[BuyingThyme]

2. What he did is inappropriate.

But only in a professional/presidential sense.

[stray cat]

8. True. As an elitist at my neighborhood coffee shop I'm told heres your latte sweetie.

It sure beats Miss!

[marshall]

10. What if somebody called him "boy"?

He did apologize for it. I think it just shows how easy it is to "mis-speak" (in the truthful sense, not the Clintonian sense). We should all watch what we say.

[Captain Hilts]

14. He's done it more than once. nt

[BuyingThyme]

16. He just wanted to give her the hand in an endearing way.

It's not Toots, but Sweetie is only a few blocks away.

[graywarrior]

3. Sweetie vs. c**t

[stray cat]

6. Let me think - Yes I would prefer Obama calling me sweetie to McCain calling me c**t

[Cha]

4. hilarys=the word police, but not a fooking

Word about hilary's LIES! Imagine that? They're just looking for something to whine about. Good Luck ya little Whinos. How's that for a "word"?)

Congratulations on Graduation, Dbdmjs1022, and Welcome to DU!

[DeepBlueC]

5. friendly relationship/professional relationship

sweetie/Ms

[JuniperLea]

20. Yeppers

The situation is completely different.

[Captain Hilts]

7. It's too famililar and informal in a professional setting. And it comes across as...

condescending coming from a man to a woman he doesn't really know.

Kind of like referring to women by their first names but men by more formal terminology. And, no, I don't find references to 'Hillary' as sexist.

If a man calls me 'sweetie', he'd better be over 70years old.

[dorkulon]

9. Another point: I'm a man and being called "sweetie" or "honey" by

unfamiliar women is a common occurrence. It's not offensive to me, and I think if I took offense it would seem very odd. Is this a double standard?

[Bensthename]

15. You are right. This is just fake outrage from the Clinton camp..

[PoliticalAmazon]

23. It is unfortunate, but some people are excruciatingly politically correct....

especially if they don't like the person doing it.

Just my opinion here, but I think this puts up barriers between people. I take no offense, nor mean any offense, with the words "sweetie" and "honey." If someone projects their own issues onto such harmless words, I think it speaks volumes to their own agenda.

[marshall]

26. It's different because of the power difference

In the same way a white man is not as offended at being called honky or cracker as a black man is being called the "n" word.

It's all about power.

[Romulox]

11. You must be a new graduate. Try calling a female boss "sweetie"

You will receive a little post-graduate education if you do! :hi:

[AspenRose]

12. Congratulations on your graduation, sweetie!

;-)

[Bensthename]

13. sweetie is code for dirty homeless beggar..

Is that right? I assume that is why it is such a bad word..

[L0oniX]

17. Much to do about nothing. This "sweetie" shit is bull shit. If you lived in the south you would be..

used to that sort of thing because its so common. I get called hon by almost every woman who works at a convenience store and I call them sweetie too. It's no big deal for most people. IMO women who have a problem with being called "sweetie" need to pull the high acid content pickle out of their ass and get a fucking grip. Geeze. fucking political correctness nazis STFU

[Romulox]

22. It is completely unacceptable to call a woman "sweetie" in a professional context.

Whether North, South, up or down.

Try calling women at work "sweetie" enough, and you might just become party to a lawsuit... :hi:

[L0oniX]

24. Some people are just ready to go off at the littlest thing. What ever happened to ...

"...but words will never hurt me". Some people are like a bomb waiting to go off and the wrong word will set it off. This issue has become the road rage of language. Who wants to work in an environment where using the wrong word will get you sued? Not me.

[JuniperLea]

18. It's very different when you know the person being addressed

It is a major faux pas in professional circles.

[theboss]

19. I prefer "baby doll" or with close friends "sweet tits"

I kid. I kid.

It's a tic and a bad one, but one that can be broken fairly easily, I would hope.

My dad goes through issues like this. He's been an elementary principal for 35 years which means that he has managed a large staff that has almost always been 90 percent female.

He started out with some women who were born the 20s and now he manages women who were born in the 80s. What is appropriate changes over time.

[DemGa]

21. Omg - this is embarrassing

[applegrove]

25. I love to be called sweetie or hon or anything like that. Life is too short to not

value positive human interaction.