"This summer a video went viral on social media when an attorney in Colorado was arguing his case on behalf of the state. In a painfully awkward moment, he called the woman judge "Honey." The appropriate term should have been "Your Honor." The cringe-worthy remark startled the courtroom. When the attorney said, "But, but honey," he instantly realized his mistake."
""Oh my God, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say to that. I apologize. I'm sorry, I've just been totally thrown." The judge replied, "Yes, I can imagine. I can imagine. I'm a little thrown by that also, if I'm being honest." It was an unnerving and embarrassing situation as he attempted to continue his defense. Kudos to the attorney for catching his mistake and apologizing. That is not always the case, and women are left feeling disrespected and patronized."
Calling a woman "Honey" in professional settings communicates condescension, diminishes competence, and signals gendered disrespect. A viral courtroom video shows an attorney addressing a woman judge as "Honey," then apologizing when he realized the error. Another example describes a contractor who spoke to a male manager instead of the business owner and repeatedly called her "Honey" despite being asked to stop. Such language is rarely used toward men in comparable situations and reinforces patronizing behavior. A quick apology when the term is used is appropriate, but systemic change requires awareness and refusal to tolerate gendered diminutives in the workplace.
Read at Psychology Today
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