Everyone has his or her own pet peeves. These pet peeves range from physical annoyances to spoken language. For example I have a specific pet peeve with a common habit in our spoken language. I find it irritating when people I do not know very well give me generic nicknames. Common examples include sport and buddy. I feel like using one of these nicknames sounds degrading. It makes the speaker sound overconfident and as if they think they are above their audience. My least favorite nickname is “buddy.” I do not want to sounds mean but if I’m not friends with someone I do not like it when they refer to me as their “buddy.” I really do not mind when my friends or family give me nicknames, in fact I have nicknames for almost all of my friends. Personally I think that a nickname is a sign of friendship, which takes time to earn. Calling people by generic nicknames is a sign of disrespect. I would never use the term “sport” to refer to anyone I respected or wanted to make a good impression on, and I assume most people think the same. It almost seems like calling someone by his or her first name is becoming formal.
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For the most part, I agree with this post; however I think it is important to look at these nick-names in their context. I feel that it can definitely seem disrespectful in a formal environment among adults, but when used to refer to a child, it seems more fitting. For example, as a lifeguard I have to constantly use these types of nick-names, basically as a last resort. Everyday kids sprint across the pool deck in hopes to be first in line for the snake slide, and getting their attention isn’t always easy. Since it’s impossible to learn the hundreds of kids’ names, most of the people I work with start their reprimand with “Hey Buddy!” or “Hey Sweetie!” to get their attention. Though it may seem rude to this blogger, I believe that these generic nicknames are still better than saying “kid” or “munchkin” or something along those lines. It’s not supposed to be disrespectful, but if you can come up with a better way of getting their attention (besides blowing a whistle), I’m all ears.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do agree that these names are inappropriate in an adult environment. In the context of two co-workers, “Sport” and “Buddy” should never be used because I agree that it can seem degrading or as if the person is not bothering to learn your name but still expects something out of you. And I agree that it is after you create a friendship with someone that a nickname can be set in place. However with unacquainted individuals, I think it is best to use more respectful names like “Ma’am” or “Sir”. Granted those are pretty generic, they still demonstrate a higher regard for the reciprocal individual, a characteristic that “Buddy” or “Sport” don’t have.
In conclusion, generic nick-names like “Buddy” or “Sport” are inappropriate among adults; however, I think it is perfectly okay to refer to kids in this manner. It all depends on the context of the situation, and the individual for whom the name is given.
I generally tend to agree with the author of this post about the use of generic nicknames and how they are perceived by the person being referred to, and those around him/her. Not only can the monikers that were referred to – buddy and sport – be degrading, but they are more often than not entirely inappropriate. When referring to small children, names like such may be acceptable. In fact, they are probably fairly normal ways to address someone who is much younger than you, as a term of endearment. Regardless, I know that when I find myself using “buddy” (because I don’t think I have ever called anyone sport) I am usually saying it with a sense of sarcasm or mockery, in the context of particular situation or some sort of inside joke.
ReplyDeleteGeneric nicknames that drive me crazy are ones like “sweetie”, “honey”, “hon” and so on. As the last commenter said, of course, context is the key to when these go from being endearing or even necessary to inappropriate, degrading and humiliating. I am especially irked when a person who is younger than me addresses me in this way, or when someone who may be doing something such as correcting me feels it necessary to use those words to identify me in accordance with whatever they have to say. If you think of these words as endearments, then it makes logical sense that they should only be used with other people that you have a close personal relationship with, and even then, only sparingly. I also agree with the last commenter that when you need to address someone whose name you do not know “ma’m” and “sir” are almost always appropriate, unless specifically instructed to not use them. People whom we are not familiar with should always be treated with respect, because this is how we would like others whom we do not know well to treat us. Although some people may not recognize the use of these generic nicknames as insulting or debasing, I agree with the blogger that it is a pet peeve of mine to be addressed in such a way.