[Poll] Hon etc...

[decadence]

Straw poll:

Inspired by a recent comment on here...

I often see terms of endearment such as 'hon' 'kitten' 'honey' etc online. I also see them employed to soften what a poster is 'saying', in the same way emoticons are widely used to indicate something should be taken in a positive spirit. I do not (from the posts I recall) draw the conclusion they are used here with intent to patronise, compartmentalise or perceive people using them to be wielding imagined gender superiority?

But:

Female GC'ers, do you find use of these terms offensive in this GC context?
Please answer yes/no.

[starang21]

don't women use those words, too?

[decadence]

I hadn't really thought about the feminist concept angle, starang21.
But yes, women, including women who specifically self-identify as feminists may well use it. Feminists in the correct context of equality not supremacy obviously.

[decadence]

Hello! POLL anyone? lol !!

[James]

Women use terms of endearment in casual ways more than men do Decadence.

[decadence]

I use them casually and pleasantly. Et je suis un homme.

[James]

I agree with you Twostep . . good reference.

Originally posted by twostep
Not written by me: There are too many feminists that support female superiority instead of equality between genders. From what I've seen, the feminist movement is complete. The rights of women have improved vastly over the years. I have yet to see any public discrimination towards any woman. In my opinion, white men are one of the most discriminated people in America (second only to homosexuals).

Men have been unfairly branded as bigots and sloths by the mistakes of their predecessors. Not all feminists are sexists, but I've met quite a few who are. William Lloyd Garrison was a man, a white man, who supported both women's rights and the abolishment of slavery. He was nearly hanged in Georgia for his beliefs. He refused to speak at a convention for abolitionism because they did not allow female abolitionists to speak. Yet, I hardly ever hear his nobility mentioned.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by twostep
Not written by me: From what I've seen, the feminist movement is complete. The rights of women have improved vastly over the years. I have yet to see any public discrimination towards any woman. In my opinion, white men are one of the most discriminated people in America (second only to homosexuals).

That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time. I'm curious as to who said it.

As for the poll -- I can't give a simple yes or no answer. I wouldn't call it offensive, but I don't like it when guys call me hon or honey or whatever, and I dislike the word chick.

[starang21]

Originally posted by twostep
Not written by me: In my opinion, white men are one of the most discriminated people in America (second only to homosexuals).

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!

i'm glad that wasn't written by you because has to be hands down the most asinine comment i've ever heard.

[cherrycola]

I don't mind it since I often use sweetie or hon when talking to people.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by decadence
I use them casually and pleasantly. Et je suis un homme.

Et vous etes un 'brit', non?

In the US, I have a feeling I'd get bitch slapped if I used that phrase in casual conversation with women. Must be different on the other side of the Atlantic.

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by twostep
Not written by me: There are too many feminists that support female superiority instead of equality between genders. From what I've seen, the feminist movement is complete. The rights of women have improved vastly over the years. I have yet to see any public discrimination towards any woman.

This is just ridiculous. Where did you find this?

[AXJules]

I do not mind when people use sweetie/hon/whatever with me, as long as we are on a comfortable, friend level. When I have never even met you and your greeting is "Babe can you use a different computer? My disk is in that one." I'm insulted and pissed. It just implies that we're friends or that you can take liberties my friends do...it's kind of hard to explain, but also related to my other pet peeve- when people call me Jules. Kind of ironic, on here its all I'm called, which is fine b/c it's my screen name...but IRL if you're not a good friend of mine it will really piss me off. For some reason I get the feeling you're going to take advantage of me.....

I know, I'm strange.

[AGDLynn]

I can't stand when certain people call me sweetie..It instantly raises my bloodpressure and I cringe.I can't tell them because it would cause more problems than it's worth.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by decadence
I use them casually and pleasantly. Et je suis un homme.

Same as decadence on this one. Mais je suis une femme.