about me

Practically imperfect in every way. Start with a lot of silliness. Mix in some insecurities and a handful of awkwardness. Add a pound of naivety, innocence, and child-like wonderings. Blend well. Half-bake and top off with a sprinkle of imagination and dollop of dreams. It’s the recipe for me!

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quote of the day

  • "Moral of the story: Do not look at the gap. The gap is the mind-killer. Remember how Wile E. Coyote never fell down until he saw the chasm? It’s just like that." --Taylor "Tei" Lindstrom, Rogue Ink

dumbass quote

  • "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps. And I believe that our education like, such as South Africa, and, the Iraq, everywhere like such as. And I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., or should help South Africa, and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children."

    --Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Teen 2007

kids say...

  • Jacob: "I need to operate on my frog, but first he needs some amnesia."

copyright

Copyright © 2004-2006 Kerrie Lee. All rights reserved.

Campaign Against Pet Names

February 21, 2006

Pet names. The term for it is hypocorism. Most of us have them, and many of us use them. I’ve had pet names for my dogs as long as I can remember. When my children were born, they got pet names too. I’m saving the really embarrassing one for their teenage years as payback for all the times they threw tantrums in public and embarrassed me. But that’s another story.

I don’t have a problem with pet names between family members. Our family doesn’t use unique pet names for each member. Pet names are sort of a free for all around here, except for the names that are mutations of the real name. Generally, family pet names is where I draw the line.

I have friends that use pet names for me once in a while, but they’re usually based on some personal joke we have together. I don’t mind those. It’s those other names. The ones people use without permission that bug me.

Case in point: professionals who call their clients, customers, or patients by a pet name. Why do these women (and it’s always a woman) have no clue how unprofessional and just WRONG it is to call me hon, honey, sweetie, or sweetheart when I am their CUSTOMER? It’s so patronizing. Do they think people enjoy it? It used to be older women who used these terms for younger customers, but I’ve noticed a trend over the past few years of young women using the term with everyone.

Me: “I need to confirm the menu for the bridal shower.”
Her: “Sure thing, honey. Let me get your file.”

Her (in a voicemail message I received yesterday): “I’m sorry I didn’t call back sooner, sweetheart. I’ll fax that stuff over to you as soon as possible.”

I kid you not. She called me sweetheart. I know Valentine’s Day just passed and all, but SWEETHEART? How am I supposed to repond to that? Am I supposed to ignore it? See, I don’t think that’s right. But I don’t know how else to handle it. So I guess that’s why I come running to my blog to complain. Get the word out and let people know (indirectly) how unprofessional it is.

If you’re bothered by the use of pet names in a professional setting as much as I am, join the campaign! Speak out against hypocorism in the workplace. If you have co-workers or employees that do it, tell them to cut it out!

CATEGORY: Rants

5 Responses to “Campaign Against Pet Names”

  1. D.T. Says:
    February 22nd, 2006 at 5:59 pm

    Sweetie, you know I would support your campaign, but I just cant. I think it’s real nice when people call me, “sweetie,” “darlin’,” or even “shug” (short for sugar). I dont know if it’s cuz I crave affection or didnt get enough love as a kid (kidding), but I think it’s a gesture to break the ice and become good friends. But then again…that’s just me.

  2. The Sister Says:
    February 23rd, 2006 at 8:00 am

    It is nice to know you have a Valentine out there besides your husband. Too funny. I think there is a certain, shall we say breed of professional that does this. For example: Any older woman, Interior design people, that woman on “What not to wear”, and my favorite the make-up counter lady, who can be any age even younger and still calls you hon. cause miss isn’t in her vocab.

  3. Buffy Says:
    February 25th, 2006 at 2:47 pm

    Were they honey-ers from the South? Because there it’s like sir or madam.

  4. Whimsy Chick Says:
    February 27th, 2006 at 5:06 pm

    D.T., maybe men aren’t bothered by it as much as women are. I haven’t met a woman yet who says she likes when other women call them those names.

    Buffy, they haven’t been from the South as far as I can tell. Some woman called me “sweetie pie” and “baby” the other day. I’ll take madam (or even sir!) over that!

  5. Anonymous Says:
    February 27th, 2006 at 11:11 pm

    your hot, i wish i could be married to you

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about this blog

It’s the spark of an idea that hits me unexpectedly. It’s the silly wonderings I have after a whirlwind of thoughts. It’s about creativity, inspiration, and imagination. But sometimes, it’s just about eating noodles.

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