I think it's kind of funny.

Why is sweetie an insult anyway? How many men would get offended if a woman called them handsome, honey, baby or even sweetie? I imagine a fair amount would actually be flattered. I know it's supposed to be demeaning or whatever....the only thing I would get up in arms over would be if someone called me a bad name or impuned my character or my abilities as a wife or mother.

Sweetie can be a term of endearment. In my culture both women and men use these kinds of terms, and in black culture this is also the case. terms such as my love, love, my son, handsome, and and other words that are the equivalent of words like baby and sweetie. These is not demeaning or insults. The negativity is not in the words, it is in the moron who is listened with negative ears and a negative, fragile-ego heart, while processing those words in her negative little mind. Certain kinds of people people (guess who is in the forefront?) make a big deal out of nothing and stir trouble for no reason.

I for one do not respect him for apologizing.

Obama is an elitist who talks down to "common" people. His "sweetie" is another example of his elitist attitude coming through.

Blessings

Bob

Being called "sweetie" in an affectionate sense is nothing to be offended about, but being called "sweetie" by someone who is dismissing you is.

It's about as endearing as Bob calling me "toots"....lol!

Quote from bobx23456

Obama is an elitist who talks down to "common" people. His "sweetie" is another example of his elitist attitude coming through.

Blessings

Bob

Agreed...does seem like an elitist attitude from him. Hillary may be an elitist as well, but at least she has the sense not to call people "sweetie" or "toots"...lol

But in all due fairness, this IS the internet, and with written words it is often very hard to discern what kind of attitude is behind them. Before I judge Obama too harshly, I would like to actually hear how he said it. The tone, if patronizing, or if not, would make the difference between whether or not it really is offensive.

Why is it so damn offensive for a MAN to call a woman 'sweetie', yet women call men 'darling, hun, hon, babe, luv, luvvy, etc. etc.' every damn day - why is it NOT offensive when WOMEN say simple terms that basically roll off the tongue?

Oh that's right - fuckin' feminism...

Quote from Marx

Why is it so damn offensive for a MAN to call a woman 'sweetie', yet women call men 'darling, hun, hon, babe, luv, luvvy, etc. etc.' every damn day - why is it NOT offensive when WOMEN say simple terms that basically roll off the tongue?

Oh that's right - fuckin' feminism...

It depends on the context, Marx. Not just the person, not just the word...it's how it's said, and why.

I had an argument once with a gal from over at Y/A (remember Lioness, Marx?) Oh yeah...she and I got into it pretty bad one day...and at some point in the argument she called me "babygirl". Babygirl! It wasn't said in affection, it was said in a totally patronizing and dismissive context, and it probably pissed me off more than anything else we even argued about that day. I told her outright I didn't appreciate her calling me "babygirl" and that I thought it was rather condescending. (It was.)

It's all in how you say it and why.

Just for the purpose of illustrating the point, I wish I had saved the original conversation. I would have posted it here.

But, and this is probably for the best, anyway, she and I ended up apologizing to each other in the end, and both of us deleted our statements and buried the hatchet.

Right. I don't disagree it's about context and tone.

Here's the video: (29/30 seconds)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4STLISLdxi4&feature=email"]YouTube - Obama: Hold on one second 'sweetie'[/ame]


Now, tell me you have never heard women address men in the same when they don't want to talk to that man at that moment... This is 'normal' and 'typical' wording for women, but for men it is 'sexism'. Complete double-standards.

Of course, I'm talking typical people, not necessarily presidential candidates.

obama should have told her what mike tyson told a female reporter
"I dont talk to females unless I fornicate with them"

Quote from Marx

Right. I don't disagree it's about context and tone.

Here's the video: (29/30 seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4STLI...&feature=email


Now, tell me you have never heard women address men in the same when they don't want to talk to that man at that moment... This is 'normal' and 'typical' wording for women, but for men it is 'sexism'. Complete double-standards.

Of course, I'm talking typical people, not necessarily presidential candidates.

Whoa...they already have that posted on Youtube, eh? lol!

Yes, Marx, you are absolutely right. I have heard women address men in that same kind of condescending manner...same sorts of words...and you're right, it's offensive. If Hillary had said something like that to a male reporter, it would be front page news as well. NO ONE likes to be treated like a child.

I'm beginning to like Obama less and less....but then I was never a big fan of his in the first place.

Marx,

You're right....when women do this, (aside from presidential candidates), it typically slips under the radar, like so many sexist things that some women do.

I know no black man who likes to be called "boy",
or any woman who likes to be called "toots",
or any man who likes to be called any of those names you just mentioned when they are said in a "you're just an annoying little child" tone of voice.

this actually redeems him a bit in my eyes
I wish he woulda used the same qoute Tyson did to that female reporter.........the look on that hoes face was pricelless
I might vote for him but Im stocking up my arms cache in case he is really as liberal as I think hes pretending to be