biermadchen Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 My boyfriend, who is very sweet and affectionate, used a foreign word as a term of endearment on a social networking site seen by many of our friends. I know he has no idea that the word is offensive. Should I mention it in a gently joking manner, or should I let it go (unless he decides that is my new nickname!)? I'm a bit embarrassed that people seeing it might think he's being mean, or that that's how we tease each other. Ideas on how to handle this admittedly small issue?
TaraMaiden Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 Well, it would help to know what this term of endearment is, in order to be able to reply more comprehensively....
Ninjainpajamas Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 You should tell him before he makes an @ss out of himself...or he's doing it on purpose as some kind of hokey pokey joke. Either way, let him know about this, it's best to make sure and not put it all over Facebook. Gotta love FB too to put all your love life and drama on, when the ***** hits the fan and you're no longer together. This is why I use it for family and close friends only.
Author biermadchen Posted December 3, 2012 Author Posted December 3, 2012 It was "staruha," which I guess he thought meant like "star" or something, but it means "old woman" or "crone" in Lithuanian (my grandfather was Lithuanian). So, it would kind of make it seem like he was dissing the picture I posted by saying I'm an old crone or whatever, lol. But, I know he has no clue that's what it means... 1
TaraMaiden Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 Then just "LOL!" and tell him in a message that it means 'old crone' and giggle.... I feared for a moment that there was some sexual profanity involved but really, this is just a misunderstanding, isn't it? Laugh it off...he obviously meant well, but made a mistaken assumption. Does he speak lithuanian? 4
pteromom Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 So just ask him if he knows what the word means (in person, not on the FB post). If he doesn't, tell him. This doesn't have to be a big deal. 2
Treasa Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 LOL I'm Lithuanian too, and this is actually kinda cute. My uncle and aunt were once sitting in front of the Christmas tree at night after their kids had gone to bed, and he, trying to be romantic, told her that he face "looks like a tree." After a bewildered look from her he added, "You know, because it's all lit up and glowing..." 2
Author biermadchen Posted December 3, 2012 Author Posted December 3, 2012 Yeah, like I said, it's a small issue...I just know he'd feel bad if he thought he'd been rude in any way, so I was a bit wary of making him feel like that. And, hey, like Treasa said, maybe he's just sort of calling me a tree!!
Ninjainpajamas Posted December 3, 2012 Posted December 3, 2012 When you said offensive, I thought you meant like whore or b!tch or skank, something like that...but that's just funny. That's something i would do, but on purpose...because obviously people would know I didn't know the language or any better, which makes it funny instead of offensive, especially if he doesn't even know any better. 2
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