Comments on: How ‘Slut’ and ‘Sweetie’ Challenge Gender Equity

By: Christine Wilson

Christine Wilson — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:57:03 +0000

Unless its an elder or a family member calling me “sweetie”, I am offended by the term. To me it is condescending and especially inappropriate in a work environment.

By: Vita

Vita — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:38:56 +0000

I agree with Luke Visconti….and I respect the fact that he only refers to his wife and daughters as “sweetie”. Even though in the past I was not offended by that term, I think in a professional environment, just call me “Vita” or “Ms. Johnson”. Just leave the terms of endearment out of the workplace….

By: Kevin Hurst

Kevin Hurst — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:25:35 +0000

Sweetie ? yes I’ve been called that but do not find it bad at the grocery store etc. I am 54 and folks take me for late 30s LOL.What I do not get is when white men call me( us) ‘Chief’ like we are ‘in charge’ or something. An older black guy told me years ago about them calling us that and never knew or experienced that before. Since then many times I have heard this and know what id going on. It’s disrespectful! Although i grew up in a small northers state capital it was not all black and the region is mostly white and the city when I grew up was less than 40% black and most pf us were under age! Working mainly with rural, vocational mechanically -inclined whites they were surprised in how much I knew about them and what they call or consider us like ‘Brazil Nuts’. kh

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:18:10 +0000

I’ll publish your comment because I’m somewhat in awe of your mash-up of Rush Limbaugh mental programming, conspiracy theories and imagineering of what feminism and women’s rights really means. I’m not going to publish any other comments for this article, so misogynists and bigots – please save your time. Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: EdP

EdP — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:04:48 +0000

The Author of this article Mixes Up the “Women’s Rights” movement with the “Feminist” movement, two Very Different creatures, and the founder of the women’s rights movement would be Appalled with the “Feminist” movement, NOT because they came from a Prudish time in America, but because the Women’s Rights movement HAD MORALS, and the Feminist Movement thinks that Morals are the Problem. The Feminist Movement is ALL about the Desire to make “murder” (abortion) Legal, That is the FACT that No one in the Feminist movement wants the Public to Understand, because they KNOW that were the public to understand that, their support would evaporate Instantly!
But, then this response will Likely NOT be allowed, because DiversityInc is NOT about Diversity, but is rather about forcing and Agenda

By: Caroline Turner

Caroline Turner — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:00:38 +0000

My focus is on differences between masculine and feminine ways of working and the strengths of each. I agree with the article’s characterization of women, and the acknowledgement in the comments, that women tend to apologize and prefer to negotiate for others rather than for themselves. Women who do ask for what they want sometimes get caught in that “double bind”–not seen as a leader if they don’t, seen as a b___ if they do. It is valuable to continue to make women aware of how they undermine their own success. But I want leaders, men and women, to understand and appreciate the feminine as well as masculine approach to work–and women whether they use a masculine or feminine approach!

By: sandra hylton

sandra hylton — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:25:02 +0000

I think all terms of endearment are in appropriate in the work place or from folks providing a service to you, be it the doctor’s office or a restaurant.

I am from the south and hear it constantly in every walk of life. I view it as a put down and disrespectful…what is wrong with “Mr. or Ms”. I must say I have corrected folks who say that and they look at me like “what’s the big deal !” The same goes for “girl” or “boy” but I won’t go there.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:32:12 +0000

To add to the list HON… I hate it! Thanks for sharing this information by email. I will use it to educate others.

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:45:45 +0000

It’s better, in a professional environment, to not call, or be called, either. I’ll admit to enjoying the occasional sweetie directed my way – but I don’t call women (other than my wife and daughters) sweetie because it’s likely to be misconstrued in a business context.

Let me put it another way. If Rush calls you sweetie, it’s likely to mean something far different than if I called you sweetie. But my intent is in my head – what you receive is your reality, and it’s better to use less ambiguous language.
Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: Reneegede

Reneegede — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:20:12 +0000

1) I’d rather be called sweetie than slut all day long. If Pres Obama had called me sweetie, I’d be gushing like a girl should. Melted like an ice cream in 100 degree weather…

2) “Sweetie” can’t be a challenge to gender-equity. I’ll be honest. As a woman, I’ve called GUYS Sweetie and all they did was blush and smile. I’ve run into hard core gangbangers and said “sweetie” and they loved it. Sweetie is a term used by both genders and applies to men and women. Some people just get in the habit of saying it. One of our receptionists at a dry cleaning company I used to work for called EVERYBODY sweetie – men and women.

That is a FAR FAR cry from calling somebody a slut. Not even close to being the same thing.

I, quite frankly, love it when people use the word “sweetie” to address me. It’s endearing and nothing close to being called a Georgetown “slut” or a Rutgers U “nappy-headed ho.”