General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I can't believe that Greenwald would do [View all]Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)That would be accurate, appropriate and in your eyes good protocol and form? Would that apply in any and all contexts or just in print media and casual conversation? Should Republican Congressmen feel free to refer to her as his lover?
Would you use that term to introduce a couple at a party or in the workplace?
Because to me, that term is not for others to be using uninvited, it is a narrow definition of a marriage which highlights the physical and denies the rest. It is too personal to use about others with whom I am not personally very close. I'd never refer to Jill Biden as Joe's lover. In public it would be, in my view, rude and inappropriate.
My point of view is supported by the fact that no one is ever introduced as someone's lover in social settings, nor in the press.
But then again, I had parents and upbringing and a diverse social network so I was raised with some standards around how I speak to and of others. Your own post says you pointed out it is a term people use to describe their own relationships. This is not the same as how others should describe those relationships. Couples call each other 'honey' but that does not mean other people should call them honey. Some minority groups use terms about each other that out of others are extremely insulting. Set, setting, context and intention.
But you know all of that. You just have a second set of rules for folks you don't like. And that is very naff.