buhhh dee

When I was younger I remember adults using nicknames for me like "champ" or "sport" or "bud" or something of that nature. This did two things. First, I assume the names were meant to be somewhat endearing. Second, and most important, the names asserted that I held a diminutive role in that relationship. This was not a big deal when I was a kid. In fact, I use "kiddo" with NJ now because my dad used that phrase with me. That name didn't bother me, so I figure it won't bother NJ. As I have grown up, though, I have become more and more annoyed at the people who use these terms with me. It does not happen real often, but there are not many situations where it doesn't bother me when it does occur.

I have noticed that people who are significantly taller or more athletic than me are likely to refer to me with a name like "bud." I should probably consider that a good thing, since it is short for "buddy," but I always get the feeling that the word is meant to be used in a mildly patronizing way. I can't think of a scenario where guys who see each other as equals refer to each other as "bud" so long as that is not one of their first names. Maybe "dude," but not "bud."

A few months ago some girl cashier who couldn't have been older than me referred to me as "hon" in the same way I might expect a woman in her sixties to do so. Again, this bothered me a little because to me that is a term that in my mind is used in a grandmotherly or motherly manner. It is not something I expect to hear from a cashier who is my age. I know it's a minor issue, but it stuck out.

Let me clarify that most of my frustration comes from the fact that I simply dislike people whom I consider equals using terms that I think put the speaker on some sort of higher plane from the audience (me). Generally speaking, the terms are fine for people much older than me because they have more life experience, wisdom, etc. I just don't like being called "champ" by someone who graduated after I did.

I am also a little uncomfortable with terms that put people at a lower level than me, such as "sir." That is a little different, though, because the person choosing to use the word is not putting himself or herself on a higher level than someone else. Most of the reason I even care about this is that I have this feeling that the people who like to be called "sir" are the ones who really do believe they are better than those who are serving them.

I can already hear the first question people are likely to ask. What should people call me if they forget my name, or don't know it, for whatever reason? I have always responded to, "Hey you!" Failing that, though, you can call me Dust Prime.