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January 15, 2006
get home safe, sweety
I walked into my local Gristedes the other day, probably to buy more veggies that will turn brown in a week. As I was getting ready to take my overpriced vegatables home,the guybehind the counter said "Good-bye sweety, get home safe".
Now, I have several reactions to being called sweety by men I don't know. The ones who leer in the street and ammend the words "tits, walk, money or blowjob" don't get a lot of positive comments from me, but in this case it was the "get home safe" part that really got my attention.
It's funny, in a way, because I live across the street from the supermarket. It's also funny beause I live in just about the safest neighborhood in Manhattan. It's not the least bit funny that women have to be cautioned about their safety in the lowest crime district in this city.
Besides all the other stuff that occupies an individuals mind, women will always have one more item floating on their todo list: get home safe.
Posted by lysa at January 15, 2006 11:31 AM
Comments
I wish that some stranger would show concern for my wellbeing like this guy. That's really sweet. :)
Posted by: Scottie at January 15, 2006 9:54 PM
Maybe I watch too much SVU, but if someone said that to me, it would freak me the F out.
Posted by: K at January 15, 2006 11:32 PM
For the record. I call you sweetie all the time(I use an IE because I'm obviously english) and it flusters you...maybe you just have a bias against the word?
Posted by: kiddo at January 17, 2006 3:14 PM
While a person across the counter could remain silent, if they were to say something, I'm curious what you'd like them to say.
I'd like to hear a "now get the fuck outta here" ;)
Posted by: Needtsza at January 17, 2006 9:51 PM
I think its a well meaning but throwaway thing to say, like "how are you". Someone says that, but does that person really give a flying fuck how you really are? I cant count the number of times i reply "yknow what, i feel really shitty" only to be speaking to empty air. Its a good thing to say though. Sweetie is endearing, but it depends on the age and tone of the person. Now if he said, "Good bye. Get home safe....sweety." i'd have to throw down.
Posted by: s at January 17, 2006 10:30 PM
it wasn't the sweety - it was the "get home safe". It just kind hit me that crime against women is so prevelent that we have to be warned from perfect strangers to be careful.
Posted by: me at January 17, 2006 10:40 PM
Isn't it interesting of the social norm that men do not get warned, but socialized to be all tough and cool and get our asses kicked to protect the woman etc etc, but who the hell is lookin' out for us?
I'd like a 'get home safely' rather than the (Go F yourself, penis-carrier) look I get from most monsters standing behind the counter. Sweetie, I can live without ;) but I agree with S that they could give a shit if you really live or die.
Posted by: b at January 19, 2006 5:07 PM