Terms of Enragement?
Loyal reader and co-worker Marsha asks fellow citizens of the Saedighverse to answer the following age-old problem: how do you snappily suggest to someone to stop calling you sweetie? Now, we're not talking about sweetie as in the perfectly acceptable term of endearment shared between loved ones. We are talking about the sweetie used by trendy hipster types who forget they're in an office environment. "Sweetie, can you put more toner in the copier? Thanks." Nauseating.
Please submit suggestions by e-mail or comment. The author of the snappiest comeback will receive an autographed copy of a back issue of The Canadian Journal of Forest Research, if we can find one. We're still not sure who will autograph it though.
Comments
Tell him to "Eat my shorts, honeybuns!".
Posted by: Bart Simpson at August 17, 2005 03:53 PM
I like Bart's suggestion.
Posted by: Dad at August 17, 2005 03:54 PM
No, no, no! I need a SERIOUS answer. Sarah's dad, I'm counting on you! Did I mention this person is of the female persuasion? It's très weird.
Posted by: Marsha at August 17, 2005 04:09 PM
I had a annoying teacher that used to call us "dear" all the time. I was not one of her favorites, and even less so when I responded "did I grow antlers over-night? My name is Tracy, not deer."
My suggestions are:
"I am sorry, have we met? My name is Tracy - T-R-A-C-Y, tttrrraaacccyyy. Can you say that."
either that or
"no problem butt-face...what?!? I thought we were giving each other riduculous nick-names"
sure, you may lose your job, but he will get the point.
Posted by: tracy at August 17, 2005 05:28 PM
You know, in Newfoundland I could have become rich if I got a dollar for every time I was called "Yes, dear" or "yes, love". "Sweety", however, is a bit much. Unless one is speaking to a genuine loved one, it is very condescending. Perhaps "I don't like to be called that, please call me -------- " would get the message across. I can't wait to hear what your Sis has to say. Oh boy!
Posted by: Dad at August 17, 2005 05:59 PM
Honey, I wouldn't get all riled up about it. Of course, I used to have to work with a gal that called me "punkin."
Posted by: boothwah at August 17, 2005 06:11 PM
A variant of Tracy's suggestion:
oh - sorry - were you talking to me? I didn't realize, since you said "sweetie" instead of "Marsha".
Posted by: heather at August 17, 2005 06:39 PM