Sometimes my coworkers or other people will call me or others (especially the females) a pet name when they barely know us. The person may not mean it in a demeaning way, but it is a demeaning thing to say nonetheless. What is a tactful way to get the message across that I wish to be treated with the same respect that I show others?
2007-01-30 07:42:46 · 17 answers · asked by Rachel 410 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Call the offender back by an even sillier pet name. Example: if someone calls you "honey," call them "sugar cake darling." (Extra points to you if you can do it without cracking a smile.) The sillier the name you call them, the more they'll get what you're trying to tell them.
Alternatively, if this is not your style, you can tell the person as politely as possible when they refer to you by a pet name, "I'm sorry, there's no one here by the name of 'honey.' My name is [your name here], and I don't mind if you have to ask me if you can't remember it."
2007-01-30 09:16:33 · answer #1 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, call them by their proper name. Then, when speaking with others in their presence, make sure you thank them for calling you by your name. You could even arrange for a friend at the office to call you something other than your name and you can correct them. Since they're "in on it" they won't get offended or hurt and hopefully the other person will get it. If that doesn't work, I usually say something along the lines of "I prefer to be addressed as .....". Thank you.
2007-01-30 07:51:51 · answer #2 · answered by candy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When someone calls you a name you do not like, simply tell them, politely, what you name is. Keep doing that until they call you by your right name.
2007-01-30 07:51:11 · answer #3 · answered by Lorraine P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is easy, tell your co-workers that you can't hear too well, kinda like this: "I'm sorry, I didn't catch YOUR name? You said it's D I C K !!" Hi D I C K !! how are you? " Guys hate to be called that name, it just prefers to what they are, and if you say it once to them, you will put them in their place.
2007-01-30 08:30:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The next time they say it, just stop them in their tracks and say, "Could you please not call me that. My name is ..... and I'd appreciate you using my name just like I do with you." Straight to the point is really the only way. My hubby has this issue with his dad who still calls him a childhood nickname....weenie. Nice. LOL!
2007-01-30 07:53:37 · answer #5 · answered by chnchita 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the polite way is to take them aside and quietly tell them what you just told us. That you prefer they use your name. you can also have a talk with human resources.
2007-01-30 07:53:42 · answer #6 · answered by Syberian 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start calling them really inappropriate pet names in return. Call a guy "Mr. Fancy Pants" or "Sugar-britches," and if he has half a brain, he'll probably get the point.
2007-01-30 07:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by SuperAmy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"i prefer to be called jane"
or
"honey is what my husband calls me, but you can call me jane"
or
"i don't go by sweetie, i go by jane"
or
"you must have forgotten, but my name is jane"
alot of people have a habit of doing the pet name thing...and i find that coming from some people i don't mind at all, but coming from others it feels demeaning like you said
2007-01-30 07:53:19 · answer #8 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell them in private that you would like them to stop calling you that.
2007-01-31 01:41:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you just say, "Oh, I prefer
2007-01-30 07:50:26 · answer #10 · answered by leaptad 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋