Healthcare professionals using insulting language

[cayenne06]

What is up with educated professionals, especially HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, using terms like gay or retard as insults? Don't we know better? Listen, if you are someone who uses either of these terms in a derogatory way, you need to check yourself and realize that it is thoughtless and mean to do so.

I like this article:http://phoebeholmes.com/2011/12/23/being-retarded/

Please discuss.

[CompleteUnknown]

Can't begin to say how much I hate hearing gay or retarded used as insults - makes me cringe every time. They seem to be used more as dismissive insults than hateful put-downs and many people think this makes it okay but I think it makes it worse - dismissing whole groups of people as worthless. I've heard it at work occasionally.

I can't understand why people do this, it doesn't seem insignificant to me. I've spoken up about it more than a few times and the reactions have been everything from 'yes, sorry, I say it without thinking' to 'what on earth are you on about, there's nothing wrong with it'.

ETA: Kids, that piece is amazing - thank you for the link.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

As the mother of a gay son, I can't begin to say how abhorrent I find the use of the term "gay" to mean "silly" or "stupid" or "ridiculous". Most people know better than to say that around me, but occasionally when I'm out in public, someone will use the term, and I just give them the look.

[giveface]

I think this all stems from our high school system not putting a stop to this. As a gay man I can't tell you how much it hurts to hear the expression "that's so gay", even if the speaker meant it innocuously. It would be like someone saying that's so female, or that's so Hispanic. You just don't do that, especially as an educated health professional.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

ok, so how many people tell "blonde jokes" or "redneck jokes"? it's ridiculous how we, ostensibly adult professionals, have to have this conversation at all. which, i guess, is the point.

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

If I'm going to use insulting language, I will use Shakespearean insults, thank you very much.

" Mister YAD! (young arrogant doctor) do not give me that snide, cocky attitude, thou bawdy toad-spotted pignut!"

(sorry, I'm not trying to be childish, I just see this thread going sour pretty fast)

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

As a mom of a special needs kid, I became angry with my new place of employment when a few co workers would say they took 'the short bus' to work today (after doing something dumb). I was appalled and very hurt with that comment. My daughter takes the short bus to school ever day. Heck most days it's a van. I did confront them because it was wrong and used so carelessly. They felt bad and they never used it again, thank goodness.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

If I'm going to use insulting language, I will use Shakespearean insults, thank you very much.

" Mister YAD! (young arrogant doctor) do not give me that snide, cocky attitude, thou bawdy toad-spotted pignut!"

(sorry, I'm not trying to be childish, I just see this thread going sour pretty fast)

pignut??:rotfl:

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I think sometimes people need to be woken up to the fact that what they are saying is hurtful and inappropriate. When you hear something all the time growing up sometimes it does not occur to you that it is wrong to say. I used to use the term "gypped" in regard to getting cheated out of money until I realized it was a racial slur against gypsy people. I truly had no idea...I even thought it was just a random slang and was spelled "jipped". Also, I was a teen before I realized the expression "Jew somone down" was also a slur. I had heard adults say it occasionally, and one day it hit me like a ton of bricks that it was referring to Jewish people. Maybe I am just a little slow or terribly naive, but it never occurred to me. I now make it a point to politely call somone out using either expression...both are offensive and inappropriate.

Not saying that people do not realize what the meaning of words like gay or retarded really refer to, but sometimes people open their mouths trying to be funny and just don't realize what they are saying could be hurtful or offensive. Ignorant? Sure. But someone has to inform the ignorant. If they continue to do it after being informed, then they are just being jerks.

[nguyency77, CNA]

People can say what they want in their personal life, but when it comes to work... Leave it at the door.

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Absurd is my fave word used when some else might substitute retard. I mean absurd rhymes with turd. What is there not to like?

[trauma_lama, BSN]

And sidenote: I made for some serious awkwardness the other night. My hubs had 2 friends over to watch a big bball game on tv. I was watching with them and one of his friends said "something or other blah blah f**got!" ummmm I muted the television STAT. I told him that is not a word we use in our house and if he feels the need to use it again to please step outside. Sorry I just couldn't hold my tongue... Something about f**got just really hurts my heart extra deep. Oops! I guess that friend will either respect me more now or not come hang out anymore at our house... Either way, works for me!

[Rick68fl]

I have learned over the years that no matter what I do or say, some uptight busy-body is going to get his or her panties in a wad and be offended.

So... I don't care anymore. Unless you are my boss, you becoming offended by something I say or do bothers you MUCH more than it bothers me - so have at it!