tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17568814.post5229430609112025180..comments2023-07-20T03:25:34.929-07:00Comments on Naked at Our Age - Joan Price - Sex & Aging Views & News: "Elderspeak" Hurts Our HealthJoan Pricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06423337694076541862noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17568814.post-7094192095287773282008-11-14T14:09:00.000-08:002008-11-14T14:09:00.000-08:00In the south people use terms like "sweetie" "hone...In the south people use terms like "sweetie" "honey" and "darling" for everyone. I call younger women "honey" a lot. It's a term of affection, an indication that the person is "one of us."<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it's important to discern when this talk is condescending and when it's not. It's more about the tone and attitude than about the words.<BR/><BR/>I like what Joan says, she knows she's intelligent, capable, and strong, so the prospect of being talked down to doesn't bother her.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps next time this happens to me, I'll pretend I didn't hear, or that I thought they were addressing someone else. I'll stand up real straight when I do this, and keep smiling. Maybe if the person's really over the line, I'll lower my designer glasses and look right at them with eyebrows slightly raised.<BR/><BR/>Elders can't expect society to give us self esteem. We have to claim it for ourselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17568814.post-13044445660064174362008-11-09T17:32:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:32:00.000-08:00This is something I'll need to think about. I gen...This is something I'll need to think about. I generally use terms like sweetie with people of all ages - my peers included (20's - 30's). I wonder if I should consciously change how I address the elderly? I'd love to know what you think, Joan and everyone else!Karen Rayne, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13001942073649412968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17568814.post-70928143635306176512008-11-09T12:14:00.000-08:002008-11-09T12:14:00.000-08:00My mother hated to be called anything other than M...My mother hated to be called anything other than Mrs.____ (Her first name was Svea, nothing anyone could ever pronounce correctly). Sweetie and Honey were absolutly not tolerted. Now, ten years after her death, I find myself disliking it also. I think it is a copout, not bothering to say the person's name. Being called dear by a busy waitress is less offensive than being called Sweetie by a daily caregiver!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com