"Honey"

jmgrn65, RN · Sep 20, 2006

After seeing coworkers call 85 year old women honey, and after being called honey by people my age (I'm only 23) I'm pretty much ready to puke. Do people really not know how patronizing that is? I just got out of lab and was ready to choke the little 20 year old know it all who insisted on calling me honey as she incorrectly corrected me. Am I alone in this?

Somehow you get to calling people honey or sweetie, and it isn't meant deragotory, it is just a way of addressing someone without knowing or remembering thier name. :rolleyes:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

You are not alone.

If you feel it patronizing, then it's patronizing and you should ask people to stop.

I personally don't feel as you do, although I don't use those kinds of words to coworkers. I notice the people I work with call each other 'baby' and 'honey' sometimes. It doesn't sound patronizing when they do it. It doesn't bother me when they do it to me because it means I'm in their good graces at the moment. :)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

Some people don't feel it's patronizing, but i do agree with you. It's Mr. or Ms. _____ unless they give the go ahead for a first name. Children i call by their first name (or if they have a nickname that they prefer).

TazziRN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

I don't have a problem with grandmas and grandpas calling me that, that's just part of them. I do have a problem with people of my generation or *gasp* younger than me doing so. I never call anyone a name like that unless it's a small child.

puresass · Sep 20, 2006

i agree! only grandmas (& some grandpas) can call me "honey" or "sweetie" otherwise it's just annoying & patronizing, whether or not they mean it to be.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

i agree! only grandmas (& some grandpas) can call me "honey" or "sweetie" otherwise it's just annoying & patronizing, whether or not they mean it to be.

I don't mind grandmas and grandpas calling me that. I just find it plain rude to call someone older than you or the same age as you "honey." As far as what Tweety says about coworkers, it depends on your relationship with them.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

My teacher for CNA called her students sweetie and we were her "girls." I didn't like it but I knew she meant well becuase of the smile on her face when she talked to us. I just thought I was too old to be addressed as such and it gave me an uneasy feeling. But I learned I would never address others in the same way.

HyperRNRachel · Sep 20, 2006

Honey, Get over it. Life is too short to be worried by these kind of incidental events. Be happy they are not calling you a not so sweet 5 letter word!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

Just because some people don't like being called "honey", or calling others "honey", doesn't mean they should "get over it" if other people do not see things from their point of view.

slinkeecat · Sep 20, 2006

dang, It is a term of endearment. I am sure it is not intended to be patronizing or disrespectful.... I work w/ a nurse that calls everyone "sug" short for "sugar".... I think it is charming..... to each his own... if you don't like it then you should correct them... however, it does seem petty.

HyperRNRachel · Sep 20, 2006

Just because some people don't like being called "honey", or calling others "honey", doesn't mean they should "get over it" if other people do not see things from their point of view.

I am just stating that in life, especially in nursing, there is always bigger issues. If you are going to be upset by people using terms of enderment, then you need to reevaluate what is and what is not important!