I was standing in line, minding my own business, when the young female cashier uttered the first one.
"Is that all, Sweetie?!"
I did a double take. It's a phrase that's been uttered by my wife or other friends, but it's been a while since a total stranger hit me with it.
I was paying for the 16oz drink and shuffling through the change in my pocket when I asked her how much I owed her.
"That'll be $1.19, Honey."
A honey and a sweetie?!
I had a flashback to the ABC23 newsroom about 12 years ago, when we were informed in a memo, that this type of conversation was frowned upon, after a producer complained to the news director.
I wasn't the guilty party in this instance, but I had tossed out the occasional phrase without thinking to some of my friends of the opposite sex.
Since that time, the friendly talk, gestures and a kind touch were replaced by the cold, methodical proceedings of a company that was falling in line with rules regarding harassment.
Don't get me wrong. The culture of CEO's, managers and any one else in charge who abused their title to force women, or men, into compromising positions out of fear of losing their job, has completely decimated the emotional aspect of the working environment.
Perhaps it's partially responsible for the generation of hopscotch employment now, where people jump from job-to-job with little thought of making a career in one particular place.
It's mellowed in recent years, but a generation that grew up in a family like atmosphere at work has vanished. It's still there, but very antiseptic for the most part.
I smiled and handed the cashier $1.25, and dropped the change in the penny cup.
She smiled back and responded with a "Thanks, baby, we'll see you next time."
Yes you will.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
This is a great write-up. Sexual harrassment meetings are such a pain for jokesters like me. Especially when you know females who joke around. Gotta do all the joking in secret like you're getting away with sticking one to the man.
There's always a sour apple though who wants to get people in trouble. That person is usually wearing a low cut top.
This is a "sticky" subject but opens up both the sexual harrassment and innocent gestures of kindness sides of the spectrum. When Ive been met with these "terms" by women younger than me, Im a bit put off because I find it cheezy and tacky but I realize that its harmless on their behalf and Im likely not the first nor the last customer that they will refer to in this manner. Now the older women, well I just think its the sweetest thing because you just KNOW that THAT is who they are and how they speak (bless their hearts). But these situations are MUCH different than the one commented on by "n.l.belardes"--thats a powder keg with a short fuse. No matter how one's own humor or seemingly harmless comments are not intended to offend or demean, you just never know how "far" the other party (ies) will take that humor and either be offended or "store it away" for future reference.
Is it sexual harrassment if both parties are okay with it? I work in an office where they make us take harrassment classes. Some people take sexual harrassment beyond what it's supposed to be and some think it's all just a cruel joke or way to get back at other co-workers or management. So sad how the workplace has come to such sensitivity especially when you spend 40 - 50 hours of your awake hours a week with these people.
Post a Comment