called "boss" by stranger

[paper_]

I was at target last night. While I was in line to check out I was chatting with a hispanic man, I'd say around 40-45 years old. Light banter, nothing serious, when he called me "boss". I have to say that it made me very uncomfortable - not in any scared way, just in a kind of sad way. Is the word "boss" more of a jovial pronoun in the hispanic culture?

[HammBugga]

I think it's just another way to say man, dude whatever. Like "Hey boss". That's how I have heard it used anyway.

[Camille]

ITA w/hamm. I am confused as to why you were saddened by it, dude.

[3girls2luv]

I have heard people use the word "boss" like the way Hamm said too.

[jessiehannan]

The only time I hear it is from my BIL and dad when I get a little carried away in giving instructions.

[bocarioja]

A neighbor of mine is from Mexico. He calls my husband and our other male neighbors "boss" all the time. I just thought he was under the impression that my husband was 'in charge' of everything that went on in our house. I really never gave it a second thought.

[alejorge]

Being that my hubby is mexican i have heard them use the word "boss" quite often. Talking to other people in the family that is just how they talk sometimes.

[haleysmom]

That saddened you??

I don't get it.

Boss, Dude, Man.... it's all the same. None of which I could understand making you "sad"

[RaisingThemLeft]

I have heard this term used more frequently by Hispanics, but yes, it's just another term for "dude" or "man".

[3girls2luv]

Boss in spanish is jefe (hefe) and I have heard my older cousins call their mom or dad Jefa of Jefe so I am sure he meant it in a nice way.

[KerryS]

That saddened you??

I think he felt saddened because he interpreted it as a class thing, as if the worker was looking upon him as being above him in class.

[haleysmom]

I think he felt saddened because he interpreted it as a class thing, as if the worker was looking upon him as being above him in class.

Oh wow. I couldn't figure out how that could make someone sad.

[curlygirl71]

I am Hispanic(from the Dominican Republic) and have never heard this term used. I also came to this country at three months so I am very Americanized. I'll have to ask my husband about this(He is from El Salvador but lived in Mexico for many years). I am not sure if Dominicans use this term.

[Chib]

I don't think I've ever been called "boss" in any manner other than sarcastically.

[3girls2luv]

I don't think I've ever been called "boss" in any manner other than sarcastically.


Did they use "boss" or "bossy"? :p

[JudyJudyJudy]

My husband is hispanic, and he calls me "boss." Wait; wait; that's not what we're talking about here, is it? :p

In all serious, though, I have heard Mexicans and even some rural whites use the term like Hamm and others said.

[paper_]

I think he felt saddened because he interpreted it as a class thing, as if the worker was looking upon him as being above him in class.


Yes, this is what made me feel somewhat... heavyhearted.

If I remember correctly, I have heard it used (by hispanics) in a similar fashion a couple of times before - but those were more work oriented situations ( service people/skilled workers [eg roto-rooter] ) where a job was being done for me. Not that I was ever their boss; just someone paying them for a job I needed done. Even then, I still thought the usage was a little odd.

I am pretty interested in etymology, so I have to suspect if the term originates from the less integrated past when race was nearly a deciding factor in social class. If I found out the word has morphed into a way that people share camraderie, then I would be much relieved.

[Prisca]

I think you're overthinking it. :) First of all, words morph, and it's not a big deal. But second, I think if this is something someone would call a friend or an aquaintance it has nothing to do with class.

[Sputterduck]

I think he felt saddened because he interpreted it as a class thing, as if the worker was looking upon him as being above him in class.


Oh yeah! Paper is a guy. I forgot that.

[Prisca]

Third of all, my computer is getting on my nerves something awful, and I want a bigger hard drive. Also the internet is still wonky. Grrr....

[paper_]

I guess I'd better start pondering going to Fry's and how long it'll take to reinstall Windows....

[Prisca]

It can't take longer than it took me to load this page ... ugh. My computer seems to particularly hate bf.com

[Camille]

My husband is hispanic, and he calls me "boss." Wait; wait; that's not what we're talking about here, is it? :p

In all serious, though, I have heard Mexicans and even some rural whites use the term like Hamm and others said.

I have visions of Judy in leather with a whip thanks to this post. :gig:

[curlygirl71]

I have visions of Judy in leather with a whip thanks to this post. :gig:


LOL.

[xobehs]

I have heard this term used more frequently by Hispanics, but yes, it's just another term for "dude" or "man".

One of our employees uses the term all the time to everyone. He is a white southern man from Texas FWIW. He answers the phone "Hey, Boss..." all the time... greets people, "What's up, Boss."

[_Tonks_]

Prisca is that how you got the new piece for computer is tell on paper here on bf.com haha.

[hidesome]

I was at target last night. While I was in line to check out I was chatting with a hispanic man, I'd say around 40-45 years old. Light banter, nothing serious, when he called me "boss". I have to say that it made me very uncomfortable - not in any scared way, just in a kind of sad way. Is the word "boss" more of a jovial pronoun in the hispanic culture?

When I was about 16 I worked at a gas station. There was an older Native American man named "Mack" who had worked at that same gas station for about 40 years. He used to call every other employee "boss". Honestly, I found it a little weird, but for him, that was just the way it was - everyone was his boss. I never bossed him around, but I did have to do the books for him since he couldn't really read or write. Now that I think about it, he used to call most of the customers "boss" too.