I know there are regional variations in the use of honey with non-family members. I happen to live out west, where it's rare. I lived in the South for a few years, way back when, and it seemed to be common.
What do you think of it? I have a younger, bossy co-worker whom I'm going to request that she stop calling me 'hon'. Am I being petty? I find it irritating to have a woman who is younger than some of my children call me 'hon'. I don't mind it from sweet people who are my age or older, from this gal it is part of a general pattern of disrespect that I get from her. She is NOT from the South, by the way.
the "kiddo" one... I work with a CNA that calls me kiddo...I'm pushing 50 and am no way a kiddo! But he does call everyone kiddo, staff and residents alike so no big deal, that's just how he is. And as many have said, I've been called a lot more offensive names that that!
I guess it's because I'm from the south but I do call some of the older male patients hon but most of the time I will use their last name. As for co-workers, I'm called Jennifer half the time even though it's Jessica. It's easier and quicker just to answer to it now. What they call me is the least of my worries.
I never use it - I find it condescending, disrespectful, and inappropriate. I was raised in a military family, so I always use Mr/Mrs/etc until the patient advises me to use their first name. I don't mind if an elderly patient calls me honey or sweetie because you can tell they mean it as a term of endearment. A coworker doing though? No thanks! I always say "please don't call me honey, I really don't like it". Usually works!
Can't stand it! Hon, honey, boo, etc. I don't even use those terms with my family. Completely inappropriate and unprofessional.
I watch Worst Cooks in America and one of the contestants called Anne Burrell "Boo". She quickly set him straight about doing that, lol.
I had an MA at my doctor's appointment call me "sweetie" recently. Like someone said, if it's not used in an offending way I don't mind. I also think it's funny when someone calls you Miss )whatever your first name is). That seems to be a big thing now.
I don't mind it if it comes from a LOL but if it's anyone younger it is annoying. I will not correct them, because it doesn't bug me enough to flip out about it, but it does make me do an internal eye roll.
At my hospital we are taught not to use any of those terms. We ask the patient their preferred name, write it on their board, and every staff member tries to use it every time they enter the room. If I were a patient (or a customer anywhere), this is what I would prefer too.
It's not appropriate. Nurses are taught how to address patients in school. So are CNAs for that matter.
I would say...."my name is______ and that's what I go by, capeesh?" With a big smile and maybe a wink.....lol
True. I know when I went to school they said never to address a patient like that because it is demeaning. So it makes me wonder why people in the healthcare field do it since it is being taught in school as a big no-no.
Maybe just a force of habit with some people I guess.
At my hospital we are taught not to use any of those terms. We ask the patient their preferred name, write it on their board, and every staff member tries to use it every time they enter the room. If I were a patient (or a customer anywhere), this is what I would prefer too.
That happened every time I had my surgery but my preferred name was never used-always the longer formal name.
I've heard many different slang names nurses will call patients and coworkers but I think the most disrespectful thing I've heard is when some young nurse (I've been a nurse for 23 years so anyone in their 30's or below is young to me) proceeds to address me as "boss". "Hey boss can you help for a minute". It's grates on my nerves and is soooooooo disrespectful.
....lol
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,974 Posts
the "kiddo" one... I work with a CNA that calls me kiddo...I'm pushing 50 and am no way a kiddo! But he does call everyone kiddo, staff and residents alike so no big deal, that's just how he is. And as many have said, I've been called a lot more offensive names that that!