Ok all, question for you.
As background, a friend introduced me to his wife this evening. She is a lovely woman, and it was a pleasure to meet her. However, he referred to her as "the boss." As in, "[Mama D], meet the boss. Karen, this is [Mama D.]"
Very odd. Best case scenario, a terrible cliché. Worst case scenario, either she does have all the power in the relationship or he is being condescending, neither one of which I would guess is the case based on what I know of this guy.
So, the question:
1) appropriate
2) weird, or
3) just no?
I eagerly await your opinion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
That expression always makes me think of either Marvin the Martian or Wile E. Coyote--two of my all-time favorite cartoon characters. T...
-
Too funny...had to share. #6 is my favorite! 1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear the...
-
Just took one of the evening taekwondo classes at the dojo, which I rarely do because they don't fit the family schedule very well. Was...
My Ex always introduced me as his "childhood bride" Irritated the crap out of me, like I did not have a name, everyone thought this was so cute! Not me so I am just saying Irritating...
ReplyDelete"Irritating" should have been one of my options too, Vicki!!
ReplyDeleteI've also heard wives referred to as "the little woman" and (god forbid) "Mother." I dearly love my MIL, but I want to be clearly separated from her in my husband's mind. :P
I know a lot of men who do that, especially those in positions of power. Just got an email from a law school dean who referred to his assistant as "the boss." I think they're trying to be cool, oftentimes, trying to defer decisions to someone else. "She's the boss of that" is common to hear of household things.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Vicki, I would have divorced that man, too!
NOLA, would you see referring to the assistant as "the boss" (when clearly, the opposite is the case) as a form of condescension? Seems like that might be a side effect of the power thing. I was in a meeting the other day where a senior accountant referred to the junior associate who had actually done the audit as "young lady" and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
ReplyDeleteIrritating, but none of my business. If she doesn't like it she should tell her husband.
ReplyDeleteI remember working with a man in his eighties who called everyone young man or young lady. I didn't especially like it but it was not worth making an issue. One of the "young men" was my boss.
I guess by the time you are in your eighties, everyone is an young man or woman to you! Intent makes a big difference too.
ReplyDeleteNope, I definitely don't think he's being condescending at all by calling her "the boss." He's just letting us know whom we need to talk with to make sure he shows up on time, doesn't forget commitments, etc. - and showing her some respect by not just saying: "Speak with my assistant."
ReplyDelete