Such was the experience of this Redditor when her husband and his family would not drop it, driving the woman to pack her things and stay with her sister. The Redditor asked people online whether her response was reasonable.
More info:Reddit
Image credits:Ale Art (not the actual photo)
As only the woman’s late mother called her Lulu, she felt weird if anyone else did
Image credits:Alternative_Gene4352
Image credits:Matthew Fultz (not the actual photo)
Image credits:RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
However, recently the man’s sister started calling his wife Lulu and he picked up the nickname
While for the time they have known each other, the husband and his family have often called her various nicknames, which she found pretty cute and endearing, the husband respected his wife’s wish not to be called Lulu. However, recently, the situation has changed. The woman’s husband started using the same nickname that her mother used after picking it up from his sister, who started referring to her using it whenever the woman wasn’t there.
Image credits:JÉSHOOTS (not the actual photo)
The woman packed her bag to stay with her sister and was texted that she is doing a lot over a nickname
Bralthwalte explained that the ways in which we address others often reflect the status of the relationship. The required or preferred terms of address give people clues into the closeness and distance of the relationship as well as the context or culture in which a particular relationship is embedded.
The researcher gave an example of two sons, from which one was estranged from his mother and left her a 75th birthday card in her mailbox, addressed to “Mrs. Starling”, while another son stopped in for a visit with a card with “Dearest Mom” written on the envelope, emphasizing the difference in relationships that was reflected in the choice of words for addressing their biological mother.
Bralthwalte discussed how to figure out what we are supposed to call other people, listing various strategies, which included modeling – listening and watching to what others around you say or do and modeling one’s behavior after those who seem to be communicating competently, as well as introducing your preferred ways to be addressed into a conversation.
She also suggested using indirect communication like introducing different terms into conversation and observing the response. However, starting more formally and being told to use the other person’s first name or nickname instead is a better strategy than starting too casually.
Finally, Bralthwalte emphasized the importance of code-switching depending on the situation and audience, noting that while a person might normally use various nicknames for a friend, in a professional situation, it might be appropriate to code-switch to a more formal term of address.
Redditors shared their takes on the situation, calling the man’s behavior disrespectful
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