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Is it sexist to talk about Warren Buffett's "secretary"?

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Dick Whitman, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. Dick Whitman

    Dick Whitman Well-Known Member

    A CNN columnist says the term is an outdated relic of the "Mad Men" era:

    http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/12/opinion/carpentier-secretaries-buffett/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

    I have to admit, I was surprised when I first started my job and found out that they still call the assistants "secretaries." I feel uncomfortable using the word, just because I'm aware that it's fallen out of favor, not because I've put too much independent thought into the connotation myself.
     
    Dick Whitman, Apr 13, 2012
    #1
  2. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    I polled some stewardesses and waitresses, and they don't know what the problem is.
     
    Ace, Apr 13, 2012
    #2
  3. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    Hillary Clinton thinks there is a vast conspiracy that makes her a mere secretary. If the world wasn't so sexist, she'd have her rightful title of president.
     
    The Big Ragu, Apr 13, 2012
    #3
  4. LongTimeListener

    LongTimeListener Well-Known Member

    If secretary was good enough for Chrissy Snow, it's good enough for now.
     
    LongTimeListener, Apr 13, 2012
    #4
  5. dooley_womack1

    dooley_womack1 Well-Known Member

    Heck, dey's all skirts and dames anyways
     
    dooley_womack1, Apr 13, 2012
    #5
  6. Baron Scicluna

    Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

    I prefer to call them Gal Fridays.
     
    Baron Scicluna, Apr 13, 2012
    #6
  7. Batman

    Batman Well-Known Member

    You mean the broads? What're they doing out of the kitchen anyway?
     
    Batman, Apr 13, 2012
    #7
  8. jackfinarelli

    jackfinarelli Well-Known Member

    If her title within Berkshire Hathaway is "Secretary", then there is absolutely no basis for creating a kerfuffle here.

    If her title within Berkshire Hathaway is "Something Else" then good reporting would identify her "correctly" and not perpetuate any misidentification she has received based on previous reporting.
     
    jackfinarelli, Apr 13, 2012
    #8
  9. Yodel

    Yodel Active Member

    Depends on what you say about her, I guess.
     
    Yodel, Apr 13, 2012
    #9
  10. MileHigh

    MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

    Let's see what she lists on her tax returns when she releases them.
     
    MileHigh, Apr 13, 2012
    #10
  11. three_bags_full

    three_bags_full Well-Known Member

    I polled a couple stewardesses and waitresses in my day, too.
     
    three_bags_full, Apr 14, 2012
    #11
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