Calling co-workers "peeps"

[bjohn13]

I just received a text message from a "supervisor" asking me to stop calling my co-workers "peeps". He said, "they are not peeps".

Now, let's overlook the fact that this gentleman is on a serious power trip, and I have absolutely no respect for him whatsoever. He constantly feels the need to nitpick everyone's work in order to feel superior.

What gets me about this is that he is just plain wrong. My understanding is that the term "peep" is a slang term meaning close friends and family....or, more generically, people. Our employer tries to maintain a familiar relationship among the workers, and it creates a comfortable atmosphere. Since I use the term constantly on a day to day basis, this is going to be almost impossible for me to stop doing. It would be like someone saying that I am no longer allowed to use the term "guys".

But I guess what bothers me the most is that he didn't have the intestiinal fortitude to come and tell me that was offending someone. Personally, I don't think it was offending anyone at all. He just needed to control someone's life for a few moments to make himself feel superior.

There.

[Tweetilynn]

I dunno. While the following link agrees with you for the most part, definition three (seems to be user content) supports your boss. Of course that doesn't mean that your boss is NOT a control freak.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=peeps

[Ana Ng]

Just curious- in what capacity do you work? What an odd request.

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by Ana Ng

Just curious- in what capacity do you work? What an odd request.

I am a dispatcher. The gentleman in question is not my direct supervisor...he supervises a different department. Our last conversation about this, where I called him a control freak on a power trip, he made the comment that since he was a supervisor and I'm not, then I have to listen to him. My response was that, since he is already known as the guy who has driven a couple of good employees to quit, that I'd sooner find a different employer, and his supervisor had to step in to stop the fisticuffs that would have likely emerged from that point. Since that conversation, I've dealt with his supervisor in all matters regarding him, but this just seems to trivial to pursue that avenue.

[Jay Tea]

Hello Matey Peeps!

[MapleLeaf]

Have any of your co-workers complained?

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf

Have any of your co-workers complained?

Not about this issue in particular (that I know of), but this guy's tendancy to be power hungry is a regular topic of discussion at the water cooler. He's gotten in trouble because of it in the past. He's got a great work ethic, but he has absolutely no leadership qualities.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

I have to be honest, if one of my co-workers was referring to us as "peeps" on a regular basis, not in a joking manner, I would think that co-worker was something of a doofus. I wouldn't lodge any complaints, but I might make a snarky comment once in a while or roll my eyes whenever it happened.

[WildOtaku]

I'm going to have to side with the supervisor, sadly. I find the term "peeps" to be incredibly annoying. Just like I find the text speak to be equally annoying. Maybe I'm getting old, I don't know. I just know that saying C U L8ER makes me want to slap the texter and ask them if they passed grade school grammar. It's probably why I enjoy having a phone with a keyboard so I can type out what I want to say and not have to use shorthand.

Then again, I'm the type of person who'll snarl at a guy for calling me "sugar".

[Wicked Tinkerbell]

The word Peeps can have odd implications.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Originally Posted by WildOtaku

Then again, I'm the type of person who'll snarl at a guy for calling me "sugar".

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Foxy Lady]

Shows how little I know - didn't know "peeps" was still in vogue.

I vote for chilling it while at the office. Someone apparently finds it offensive. Whether he's someone you like or not, is beside the point. He IS a supervisor. If you were to take this up the line (which I don't suggest you do), you'd probably find the PTB siding with him.

I don't know how you use it ("how my peeps doing today?") but to me, it sounds juvenile and condescending. BTW, how DO you normally use it?

[Canuckistan]

Originally Posted by Aimee Evilpixie

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Well, it depends. Is her name actually Sugar? Because then it would be completely acceptable.

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by WildOtaku

I'm going to have to side with the supervisor, sadly. I find the term "peeps" to be incredibly annoying. Just like I find the text speak to be equally annoying. Maybe I'm getting old, I don't know. I just know that saying C U L8ER makes me want to slap the texter and ask them if they passed grade school grammar. It's probably why I enjoy having a phone with a keyboard so I can type out what I want to say and not have to use shorthand.

Then again, I'm the type of person who'll snarl at a guy for calling me "sugar".

Well, I think I can make an analogy here. There are a few people in our technical department that call us "patch" instead of using the term "dispatch" just as there are a few people around the company who tend to use the term "peeps" when talking to/about people in general. I'm not particularly a fan of the usage of the word "patch". In fact, it annoys me. How would this be any different?

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by Foxy Lady

I don't know how you use it "how my peeps doing today?") but to me, it sounds juvenile and condescending. BTW, how DO you normally use it?

I use it when either talking about or addressing a group of people in general. I do not use it when talking about or addressing a group of people I do not like and/or respect. I also never use the phrase "my peeps".

[breshears]

Originally Posted by Aimee Evilpixie

I have to be honest, if one of my co-workers was referring to us as "peeps" on a regular basis, not in a joking manner, I would think that co-worker was something of a doofus. I wouldn't lodge any complaints, but I might make a snarky comment once in a while or roll my eyes whenever it happened.

Agreed. Actually, when I saw the thread title and category, I assumed this would be a rant from that perspective.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by WildOtaku

Then again, I'm the type of person who'll snarl at a guy for calling me "sugar".

I am trying to train a factory floor co-worker not to call me "babe" but it seems to be a losing battle. I don't think he can help it (or is even aware he's doing it) any more than he can help breathing and he isn't intending to be disrespectful. Best compromise so far is that I get to call him some nickname in return. Neither of us see it as a matter to be raised with supervisors though.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by bjohn13

I use it when either talking about or addressing a group of people in general. I do not use it when talking about or addressing a group of people I do not like and/or respect. I also never use the phrase "my peeps".

How about "folk" rather than "peeps" ? At work we tend to all be "chaps" (even the women) when addressed en masse by team leaders.

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

How about "folk" rather than "peeps" ? At work we tend to all be "chaps" (even the women) when addressed en masse by team leaders.

Interestingly, I tend to use the term "folks" and "chaps" as well. I find myself addressing people at large a lot, and I don't like using the same term over and over all the time. Another one that I use frequently is "guys and gals", and someone on another forum pointed out to me that she thinks the term "gal" is offensive.

Peeps is one I use a lot, though, when I'm trying to pass on a message that is jovial in nature. I really don't know how to stop. It has slipped out three times today since I was sent that text message. The most recent example was when I was telling someone who the noon-to-nine peep on the schedule was today.

[woodness03]

First, I think using the term peeps is inappropriate, especially if other people are bothered by it (not saying anyone is or was, but just a general statement)

Second, If you don't like being called "Patch", then you need to let your supervisor know. If he/she tells you its no big deal, tell them it is a big deal to you and you no longer want to be called by that. If nothing is done, file a complaint with your HR department.

Third, If this guy is not your supervisor or above your supervisor, he has no right to direct you to do anything. He can ask you, but cannot direct you. Sole exception is if your supervisor is away and he has been given the authority over your section. I recommend lodging a complaint about to this individual to your supervisor every time he/she does it. If after several complaints it has not stopped, lodge another complaint with your supervisor or file a complaint with HR.