Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"Honey" or "darling" to address women in US courts will now be penalized

NY TimesThe ethics rule now forbids comments or actions that single out someone on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability and other factors. Nearly two dozen state bars and the District of Columbia bar have similar rules. But there has been no national prohibition of such behavior, which, many female lawyers complain, results in too many “honeys,” “darlings” and other sexist remarks and gestures toward them while they are trying to practice their profession.

Without a flat prohibition, advocates of the rule said, using demeaning and misogynistic terms and actions to undermine opposing counsel and others too often does not have consequences.

Any penalties would be determined by state bar associations and might include fines or suspension from practice, depending on the severity of the offense. (read more)

27 comments:

edutcher said...

Just say, "Sweetie" or "Stud muffin", right back and it will all be fine.

Shouting Thomas said...

Now, that's funny because I have had three surgeries in the past two months and each time I was in the hospital almost every female employee (doctors, nurses, CNAs, etc.) called me "honey" or "sweetheart."

When will we start the crusade to prohibit this horrifying practice?

(I certainly enjoyed it.)

edutcher said...

I'm sure this is a hot topic at TOP.

ndspinelli said...

ed is correct. Allow the guy to be paternalistic and give it right back to him. That's how smart/strong women deal w/ this stuff and it's to their ADVANTAGE! If I were a woman I would SCREAM at all this special snowflake horseshit. There's a reason men still rule the world and own most of it. Women need to "buck up, buttercup." I know tough women and they do just fine, thank you. I'm married to one.

The Dude said...

So "Sugar tits" is right out, eh?

Mel Gibson hardest hit.

rhhardin said...

One of the great moments on Imus on Fox was Nat Candido doing a show "sideline report" on the progress of the show so far, can calling Degan McDowell over to ask if she was wearing appropriate footwear given all the cables on the floor, with "Come over here sweetie."

Guys can spot latent feminism seething in a woman's soul.

ndspinelli said...

SJW's are weakening, not strengthening, the people they purportedly help.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

This is such bullshit. No one uses "honey" in courts. Why would they? Does it gain one using it anything? It is all Mr. or Mrs. or Ms.

Now where it gets complicated is these transgenders. It? Creature? What is the right pronoun or address for them?

ndspinelli said...

Evi, As recently as a few years ago I was testifying on a case. A male plaintiff's attorney referred to the female attorney examining me on the stand as "darling." He said during an objection exchange, "Darling, you know that was a leading question." My client calmly replied, "Refer to me as counsel or by my name." The judge, a good old guy, smiled and nodded in agreement. I am always looking @ the jury. They hated the plaintiff's attorney for doing that. Advantage woman. We won and I'm sure that played a part in it.

ndspinelli said...

You're correct, it doesn't happen often anymore. In my early years in court[70's] it was more common. Much less common now, but many male attorneys are assholes.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Men who use terms like "Darling" "Sweetie" "honey" in an attempt to belittle - these are indicators of a tiny sheltered existence, loser, and low self-esteem. Probably a tiny penis too.

ndspinelli said...

April, "In an attempt to belittle" are the operative words. I often preface comments to my bride w/ "Hon..."

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

ND - Honey, lover, sweetie inside personal relationships is all good.
When men say it in a court room or to women they do not know - it reveals their insecurity and their slow-witted backwards attitude.

Trooper York said...

I am sorry to hear you have been having surgeries Shouting. I hope it was all cosmetic. I know those breast enhancements are tricky.

Anyhoo I hope everything is ok and the you are feeling better. You are missed around hear and we need your voice here and elsewhere on the internet. Feel better.

Trooper York said...

You do need an all purpose term to refer to people. For women I use "kiddo." For men "Boss."

Very useful when you forget someones name. I deal with dozens of people every day who I have briefly and I can't possibly remember everyones name. So useful go to phrases work well.

Amartel said...

April - Hmm, voice of experience? At this point it's actually helpful to a female attorney because everyone in earshot is all: What did that fossil just say? I do not approve of this stupid rule on general principles because I do not approve of criminalizing/penalizing language. Also, why get in the way when your opponent insists on ruining his credibility? That goes for large and in charge broads who insist on deploying this language as well.

edutcher said...
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edutcher said...

ndspinelli said...

ed is correct. Allow the guy to be paternalistic and give it right back to him. That's how smart/strong women deal w/ this stuff and it's to their ADVANTAGE! If I were a woman I would SCREAM at all this special snowflake horseshit. There's a reason men still rule the world and own most of it. Women need to "buck up, buttercup." I know tough women and they do just fine, thank you. I'm married to one.

I'm going to slightly quibble because I think you miss one point...

It's not so much tough as it is a woman

a) with a sense of humor

b) who's confident in herself

A woman who knows she can do the job doesn't mind and a woman with a sens of humor laughs it off.

It's the insecure crab that needs this "protection".

Titus said...

What about doll? Or tootsie?

Titus said...

I call my girlfriends either tits, knockers, milkers or hole. They love it.

Shouting Thomas said...

I was in for penis enlargement, Troop.

It was so successful that they had to cut off one of my legs.

Pretty cool custom shoe for the schlong!

Trooper York said...

Nice.

I will call you Tripod Thomas from now on.

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