A verbal pat on the back is only a few vertebrae away from a verbal kick in the pants. When you want to maintain good relationships with people who you like, always incorporate terms of endearment. “Please,” “would you mind,” “I like [or “love,” if appropriate] it when you __” are musts, no matter how familiar you are with the person.
“Honey,” “sweetie,” “baby,” “dear,” “love,” and “darling” are great terms to use when you have just been in verbal battle with a loved one. These terms often reassure the person that no matter how angry you both got at one another, you still feel tremendous affection towards her. On the other hand, the consequences of speaking these words to the wrong person in the wrong context can be disastrous. They can land you in front of a judge in a sexual harassment suit or get you fired, not to mention generating a lot of unnecessary hard feelings.
Southerners and older people who see nothing wrong with calling someone they like “darlin” have to be extra careful, since their use of terms of endearment are a way of life.
The moral of this story is to be always mindful of whom you are going to verbally endear.
No comments:
Post a Comment