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Arturo Mijangos's avatar

One place that I find interesting is the use of “girl(s)” in professional settings. My dentist: “one of the girls, will come check you out.” He meant one of the Techs, not the female dentist/co-owner. I asked the Tech, “do you like when the dentist calls techs ‘girls’?” She said that she finds it endearing and all the Techs are “girls.”

The team I lead is comprised, right now, of only women HR professionals. I don’t believe for a second they would find it endearing.

I love the use if the phrase “I noticed ____ …. I wonder ____” to highlight to others that some of the phrases and metaphors could be updated to better suit the intents.

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Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD's avatar

Yeah I really don’t like the use of girls for grown women. But at least he didn’t say “one of MY girls…” haha

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Rebekah Peeples's avatar

Oh this is the worst! Or when adults call boys "buddy" and girls "sweetie."

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Erin Kuhn's avatar

Ooh, I love the idea of you giving a talk in our community, either virtually or in person. I’m in Western Mass—is that far for you to travel to?

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Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD's avatar

I’m in Chicago so…not as far as Amsterdam! :)

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Joshua Sherk's avatar

As a father of a daughter, I thank you for this insight. A new angle to consider.

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Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD's avatar

Thanks for reading and for the comment Joshua 🙏🏼

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Rebekah Peeples's avatar

Thanks for these great insights. I hadn't seen this AOC quote, but your analysis is right on target, and makes me want to do a personal inventory of the subtle biases that might be lingering in my own criticisms of various people and institutions in leadership (soooo many on that list right now at the moment!)

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