Ok... I understand that in some geographic areas it is normal for people to address you as "hon" whether you like it or not. (I don't.) I "suck it up" and deal with it because I live in such an area. However, there are certain words that I really do not want used to address me, particularly by a customer service person or server at a restaurant. I actually consider it demeaning. So I really do want some advice on this one. Btw, I made a point to listen to the manner in which said server interacted with customers at the next table, and she did it there as well; so I at least don't assume that it is personal. My question still stands.
What is the polite way to ask someone not to call you "baby girl?"
- Current Mood:curious
- Current Music:scanner scanning
Profile
3kitties- Sarah Blake LaRose
- my personal site
Comments
But, that's just me.
Most of the time I just suck it up if it's a service person or stranger, someone I'm not likely to see again. If you get it a lot from staff in one particular place, though, you might want to send a letter/email to management explaining that it can seem patronising, and could their staff please be a little more sensitive to that?
Otherwise, I'd probably try the subtle approach of making a joke out of it, in this particular case something like mentioning how I grew out of rattles in first year uni, actually, that gets the idea across without being confrontational. Your cultural foo may vary, though.
But to call a stranger "baby girl"...? Holy cow! I'm at a loss as to how to handle someone so ignorant.
I suppose if I were never going to see that person again I'd just let it slide. Why bother making an issue of it? But if it were a waitress at a restaurant I frequent or plan to go to again, I might speak up and tell her nicely that I find being addressed that way patronizing and insulting because we're not friends, that I would prefer to be addressed more respectfully. ("miss" or "ma'am" would do)
When I was working a phone job as a 16-year-old kid, I was required to listen to a recorded presentation on phone manners. I will never forget it. It went all over not using "hon" and not saying, "Ba-bye." I think this is stuff that anyone working in any public service really should hear!