topic Re: Name Calling in Suggestion Box

Name Calling

Dana906 — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:03:24 GMT

Please ask Pat James-Dementri to quit saying "Debbie Downer". I have heard her use that term several times and it is extremely irritating, she doesn't need to make fun of a name in a negative manner. Thank you.

Re: Name Calling

Mama Deb — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:07:30 GMT

I could not agree more, especially since my name is Debi. I'm sensitive and it does bother me. However, it doesn't appear to bother anyone else. I suppose if they constantly heard their name used negatively they may change their mind.

Thank you for this post.

Re: Name Calling

GSPgirl — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:15:11 GMT

I agree. I don’t watch Qvc that much anymore. Why would she even say that?

Re: Name Calling

Carmie — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:20:00 GMT

Debbie Downer was a fictional character from Saturday Night Live. I always think of that character when someone says that name.

I have never associated it with any other person named Debbie.

Imagine if your name is John, Gay, Di*k, Johnson, Butch...there are more. You would hear your name almost everyday used for some other meaning.

Re: Name Calling

Moonchilde — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:26:47 GMT

There are, and have been, multiple posters who like to use the phrase to trash/diss other posters. It’s not new in that use, for sure. Anyone who isn’t Pollyanna is a Debbie Downer.

Whatever its origins, it’s meant to be a name-calling of anyone who says anything those posters don’t appreciate. In that use, it’s very clearly meant to be insulting.

Re: Name Calling

Carmie — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:36:05 GMT

@Moonchilde do you think Pat is name calling on QVC to put people down? Oh, I hope not. She doesn’t seem to be the type of person who would do that.

I hear people use Debbie Downer a lot, even in school the teachers tell the kids to cheer up and don’t be a Debbie Downer. I can’t imagine them trying to hurt everyone named Debbie.

Re: Name Calling

Moonchilde — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:45:48 GMT

wrote:
@Moonchilde do you think Pat is name calling on QVC to put people down? Oh, I hope not. She doesn’t seem to be the type of person who would do that.

I hear people use Debbie Downer a lot, even in school the teachers tell the kids to cheer up and don’t be a Debbie Downer. I can’t imagine them trying to hurt everyone named Debbie.

No, @Carmie, I think Pat uses it like most people use it - as an expression of “don’t be such a pessimist.” The posts I’ve seen on the QVC forums were more...negatively accusatory, let’s say. People on these forums frequently turn ordinary phrases into insults.

Seriously, although it must be irritating I’m sure to those named Debbie, it’s just a name that starts with a “D” and alliterates with downer, another d-word. Nothing more or less.

Re: Name Calling

TenderMercies — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 02:16:39 GMT

People need to stop seeking out things to get offended about. Every day it’s something more ridiculous than the day before. Unless someone is calling you a Debbie Downer directly, then you have nothing to be offended about.

Re: Name Calling

x Hedge — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 02:23:20 GMT

The name "Debbie Downer" has been around since sometime in the 60s or 70s, and it has nothing to do with making fun of a person's name. A downer is a term associated with the music and drug culture of that time. As a vocabulary word it passed into general, if limited, use.

The descriptive term downer could be applied to many things. But when the downer was a person, he/she would be referred to as a Debbie Downer.
The phrase could just as easily have used a different name, but Debbie Downer is catchy, memorable, funny, and easy to say.

It would never occur to me to associate that phrase with Saturday Night Live, since I never watch it, and I was not aware until I read these posts they'd used that name for some character.

Re: Name Calling

makena — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 02:39:18 GMT

Silliest thing ever.

Re: Name Calling

MarkeieMark — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 04:32:29 GMT

Is this serious?

Re: Name Calling

AuntG — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 10:53:24 GMT

wrote:
People need to stop seeking out things to get offended about. Every day it’s something more ridiculous than the day before. Unless someone is calling you a Debbie Downer directly, then you have nothing to be offended about.
=======================
Very true. I was wondering if Plain Jane and Joe Blow could offer any advice to those who are offended as they have been dealing with this very same problem for decades.

Re: Name Calling

Suziqzee — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 12:55:25 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
People need to stop seeking out things to get offended about. Every day it’s something more ridiculous than the day before. Unless someone is calling you a Debbie Downer directly, then you have nothing to be offended about.
=======================
Very true. I was wondering if Plain Jane and Joe Blow could offer any advice to those who are offended as they have been dealing with this very same problem for decades.

LOL. And Lazy Susan or Saucey Susan.

Re: Name Calling

Another new name Sue — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:13:49 GMT

I agree this is a small matter and shouldn’t bother any of us. After all how can we get our feelings hurt by something said by a salesperson we don’t really even know on QVC?! Silly!

However, I think it would be better if QVC had a policy of not using people’s names to put down behavior or other products. They could step the language up above name calling.

Re: Name Calling

CalminHeart — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:31:48 GMT

Debbie Downer may have started out innocent enough, as a silly joke. That doesn't mean it remains innocent and just a light hearted joke forever. Lots of words and sayings start out one way but change over time.

Why do people insist on using words that hurt others? This has nothing to do with political correctness. It's just civility.

How does it harm someone to not say something that hurts someone else?

Re: Name Calling

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:59:07 GMT

There is also a Negative Nancy and a couple more that I cant think of at the minute.

Re: Name Calling

faeriemoon — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:11:09 GMT

I do believe it's possible that I have now heard it all.

Re: Name Calling

Marp — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:58:47 GMT

wrote:
I do believe it's possible that I have now heard it all.

Such a Pollyanna LOL. There is and will always be something new that "offends" someone(s).

Re: Name Calling

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:38:29 GMT

wrote:
I do believe it's possible that I have now heard it all.

You'd like to think that but I'm betting you something else will come along.

Re: Name Calling

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:39:27 GMT

wrote:
There is also a Negative Nancy and a couple more that I cant think of at the minute.

@Imaoldhippie, I have heard and I use the term Nosy Rosy all the time.