Terms of endearment

[mamabear]

After a quick scan of the various topics, I didn't see anything pertinent to this, so I'll throw it out:

I was recently hospitalized for 11 days at the local county hospital. During the time I was there, a good 80% of the RNs, CNAs, phlebotomists, and housekeepers called me "honey" or "dearie" or "sweetheart". I was a "good girl" for holding still while a PICC was inserted.

I didn't know any of these people from a hole in the ground, yet they felt perfectly comfortable and within their rights to speak in such a condiscending manner. Is this so I'll know who's boss? That I'll be made to realize how dependent upon them I really was:(

When working, I make a special point of NOT talking down to any of my patients, regardless. I treat people the way I wish to be treated. Is this so difficult to grasp?

I've been told that I make way too much of a stink about this, that the use of such endearments is meant to convey a caring approach, blah blah. It's still irritating:(

Does anybody else feel this way?:angryfire

[MassLPN]

I have to admit, I'm guilty of calling my patients honey and sweetie. BUT, I never talk down to them, or treat them like children. I actually do this in my 'real' life as well.. Everyone I come in contact with is "honey", so it's just a habit. Someone I care about, or care for, or am close enough to gets called 'honey".

To call someone a good girl, though.... I can't say I do that, nor would I want to do it, or be called that...

[Audreyfay]

I am guilty of calling one of my clients "my dear" after they know me and I know them. I work with a lot of senior citizens. The only time I was offended by a term I was called...I still think it was just a lack of interest to learn my name...was when a co-worker anesthetist called me "miss"....when I was 9 months pregnant. I told him...do you understand the implications of what you just called me?