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Subject: | I’m having a bit of a problem with respecting people’s pronouns. |
From: | AmberRedux |
Date: | Wed, 30-Oct-2024 9:29:03 AM PDT |
Where: | SoapZone Community Message Board |
In reply to: | ~*~*~WEEK OF OCTOBER 28 POTPOURRI~*~*~ posted by Wahoo |
As an English major, my initial reaction to someone naming themself with a plural pronoun (they/them) was NO. Grammar says NO to that. But I’m also aware that language is constantly changing, so I can live with that change.
My problem is that, as a polite Southern girl, I routinely address strangers as ma’am and sir. As in “Thank you, ma’am,” or “Excuse me, sir.” Only I am now aware that, despite their appearance, the people I’m addressing may not identify with “ma’am” or “sir.” I’m trying to do better, but it’s HARD after decades of being old-fashioned polite.
6 replies, 227 views
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If you look like a female, I'll call you ma'am, if you look like a man - TaxPert - 01-Nov-2024 9:21 AM
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No one identifies as a cat. EOM - ladyday - 01-Nov-2024 5:56 PM
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Uhh...actually, some people do. Google "people who identify as animals" - Wahoo - 01-Nov-2024 6:23 PM
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I stand corrected, lol. EOM - ladyday - 02-Nov-2024 7:22 AM
- IKR... there are furries out there... but it isn't like they are all over the - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 5:57 AM
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This made me think about a CSI episode titled “Fur and Loathing” in which - Kitchop - 01-Nov-2024 8:45 PM
- There was an episode of the reboot of Hawaii 5-0 that had a similar plot - Wahoo - 02-Nov-2024 2:21 PM
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I stand corrected, lol. EOM - ladyday - 02-Nov-2024 7:22 AM
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Uhh...actually, some people do. Google "people who identify as animals" - Wahoo - 01-Nov-2024 6:23 PM
- Always good to know where people stand. Thanks for playing! EOM - AmberRedux - 01-Nov-2024 9:53 AM
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No one identifies as a cat. EOM - ladyday - 01-Nov-2024 5:56 PM
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I feel you. I would never intentionally call someone something other than what - Sparky - 31-Oct-2024 2:21 PM
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An oft told story in my family: my mom frequently called people "Honey" - Wahoo - 01-Nov-2024 8:05 AM
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With younger people (or those that I sense have a sense of humor) - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 5:55 AM
- I love it! This is a bit off topic but I've discovered a fondness for tossing - Wahoo - 03-Nov-2024 12:44 PM
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LOL! I know an older couple and the wife jokes that she calls her - The_Cat_Did_It - 02-Nov-2024 6:23 PM
- 😂 EOM - Wahoo - 02-Nov-2024 7:05 PM
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With younger people (or those that I sense have a sense of humor) - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 5:55 AM
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Honestly? I hate endearments from strangers. But with a lack of … - AmberRedux - 01-Nov-2024 3:46 AM
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I do not like it either... which is why I don't like doing it... but sometimes - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 5:51 AM
- OMG I used to go to a hair dresser/manicurist down here in FL - ladyday - 03-Nov-2024 7:04 PM
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So... - Wahoo - 03-Nov-2024 12:35 PM
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lol...I can't do Witch Hazel... but I can talk just like Minnie Mouse... - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 6:45 PM
- 😄 EOM - Wahoo - 04-Nov-2024 6:39 PM
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lol...I can't do Witch Hazel... but I can talk just like Minnie Mouse... - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 6:45 PM
- I use to do endearments but I heard a lot of people say they don't - The_Cat_Did_It - 02-Nov-2024 6:31 PM
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I do not like it either... which is why I don't like doing it... but sometimes - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 5:51 AM
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An oft told story in my family: my mom frequently called people "Honey" - Wahoo - 01-Nov-2024 8:05 AM
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Absolute same boat as you. My grammar brain is like "They" is plural. - The_Cat_Did_It - 30-Oct-2024 6:13 PM
- Thanks for sharing the Whitman quote. That’s a great way to think about it. EOM - AmberRedux - 31-Oct-2024 3:04 AM
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But 'they' as a non-gender-specific pronoun is very old. - K_StillNotOver2016 - 30-Oct-2024 3:27 PM
- Sure. People have reverted to “they” for the unknown forever. - AmberRedux - 31-Oct-2024 3:23 AM
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As *I* see it... - Justathot - 30-Oct-2024 4:57 PM
- LOL @ just give me my meds and nobody gets hurt. 😂 - AmberRedux - 31-Oct-2024 3:27 AM
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As a 50 year old gay man--so am I! - Antwon - 30-Oct-2024 2:04 PM
- Your perspective is always so fair and greatly appreciated! EOM - Sparky - 31-Oct-2024 2:24 PM
- I like what you said about impact. That really should be our focus. EOM - AmberRedux - 31-Oct-2024 3:29 AM
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Oh my gosh, yes, THIS... - Wahoo - 30-Oct-2024 6:46 PM
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Exactly. Just as some people do not appreciate when others make assumptions - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 6:00 AM
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I propose the acronym UM. Which would stand for "Unintentional - Wahoo - 03-Nov-2024 12:20 PM
- Sounds like a plan to me! EOM - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 6:41 PM
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I propose the acronym UM. Which would stand for "Unintentional - Wahoo - 03-Nov-2024 12:20 PM
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Exactly. Just as some people do not appreciate when others make assumptions - Sparky - 03-Nov-2024 6:00 AM
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You have nailed *exactly* my "problem" (and it is MY problem) - Wahoo - 30-Oct-2024 9:40 AM
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Hmmm...I didn't think of that. I was just in AL, as you know, and - Cassie - 30-Oct-2024 10:07 AM
- It’s good to know that I’m not the only one struggling with this. - AmberRedux - 30-Oct-2024 10:35 AM
- It's interesting to me that Amber brought this up today... - Wahoo - 30-Oct-2024 10:34 AM
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Ha! I *knew* you would agree with this. 🙂 - AmberRedux - 30-Oct-2024 9:51 AM
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Aw...we'll both keep working on it and trying to be more consistent - Wahoo - 30-Oct-2024 10:27 AM
- Yes we will! 🙂 EOM - AmberRedux - 30-Oct-2024 10:32 AM
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Aw...we'll both keep working on it and trying to be more consistent - Wahoo - 30-Oct-2024 10:27 AM
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Hmmm...I didn't think of that. I was just in AL, as you know, and - Cassie - 30-Oct-2024 10:07 AM