"Good Boy"

[Gravekeeper]

"It's not the intent that matters, it's how the other person took it that matters."

Objection!

That's back asswards frankly.

Considering the wide range and silly of stupid things people may find offensive ( See OP ) thats a poor way of judging it. Also rather ironically opposite to way everything else is handled in the typical court of law since intent is everything in the court.

Intent is what matters. Because some people are just anal to be honest. ><

Sure some things ( racial slurs ) are automatically offensive because thats the barest intent of the word ( hate ). But this case isn't one of them.

[Bagga]

Is there some sort of homophobic thing going on here maybe? Because of "Boys keep swinging" by David Bowie, or whatever? Boys meaning young male homosexuals.

I am 60, and if it is said in a friendly manner I take no offence whatsoever at being called boy. It was a) probably a reflex that she says to all young guys, and b) not really anything that hurts anyway.

If she had shouted "Hey you! BOY! Come here boy!" across the shop, THEN you have grounds for dismay. But as she seems to have said something that she thought of as rewarding comment you should be grateful to get it. Pleasant comments are all too rare in retail, accept them in the manner they are offered.

And to be frank, if being called boy winds you up this much, you should get out of retail asap, because you will hear stuff in the future that will absolutely break your heart.

[Rapscallion]

The word "boy" was used by white slaveowners to call the attention of their male slaves. I believe this is where the apparent offence comes from.

Let's drop it in the spirit of not killing each other over a word.

Rapscallion

[blas]

My grandma still says "You're such a nice little girl!" whenever I see her. The lady is almost 90 years old. It's how she talks. It's how most older people talk. They mean nothing insulting by it.

[Gravekeeper]

And to be frank, if being called boy winds you up this much, you should get out of retail asap, because you will hear stuff in the future that will absolutely break your heart.

The gnome speaks wisdom.

I mean I've been called "homo fag fudgepacking *&$@nig queer whore yankee *($*@ing fagbait childkiller" for 2 minutes straight before. Thats offensive. ;p

[HowMayIHelpMe?]

The gnome speaks wisdom.

I mean I've been called "homo fag fudgepacking *&$@nig queer whore yankee *($*@ing fagbait childkiller" for 2 minutes straight before. Thats offensive. ;p

So, just to get this straight, apparently on this board (which I came to thinking it was a good place to vent ) I'm just completely, flat-out wrong to take offense at being called a "good boy" by a customer. Is that a fact?

Nice.

Interesting levels of sympathy and commiseration out here on this board.

Real nice.

[Rapscallion]

Well, looks like another thread closed...

Rapscallion