Do you secretly judge people who announce their pronouns in their emails?

[Mewmin]

I was reading the thread on BBC pronouns earlier and it got me thinking about my own reaction when I come across people who I had previously respected and looked up to who have put their preferred pronouns in their email signature (all female with obviously female names like Annabelle and Rebecca).

Personally I believe it shows a lack of critical thinking and, working in the academic field, I am finding it very difficult not to alter my view of the (very) few colleagues and work contacts who have done this. In one case it has actually made me think twice about working more closely with someone.

Am I alone in this?

I should add that I am supportive of transpeople's rights but don't think that they should override women's rights and I cannot go along with the lack of logical thinking and tautological definitions used in gender ideology.

I totally judge. I'm in my 40s and not very woke. My daughter is in her teens and is very woke. Her friends but their pronouns on their Instagram. At work, if an email signature includes preferred pronouns I secretly think, "Why the fuck do you think anyone cares?"

I'm not remotely interested in how someone identifies. It couldn't be less relevant in my line of work. I haven't seen it thankfully and would think less of someone who did it

@Natsku that is interesting about Finnish. I had been wondering how it would work in languages which use grammatical gender (not sure if that is the right phrase). English and Finnish might be some of the easier ones in this respect.

I roll my eyes so hard that when they finally come to rest they show two bells and a cherry.

On the upside, at least now everyone knows what pronouns are (English teacher).

I very rarely see men do it.

@JaneJeffer

I watched a programme about makeup artists the other night and they all had their pronouns after their name on screen. Why? It's not as if the viewer is going to be addressing them.

I saw this as well and had exactly the same thought. Ridiculous bollocks.

I couldn't give a shit. Doesn't effect me at all.

Sounds like you are dabbling in indirect discrimination since you presumably are aware that there is a better than average chance that people that voluntarily put preferred pronouns on LinkedIn may be LGBTQ+

I’m L and I don’t have a gender, just a sex, because I reject the concept of gender as based on sexist stereotypes.

Some people where I work have pronouns in their bios & I see it as a useful warning. Nobody on my team does so far, but we’re recruiting, and while I’m minimally involved in the process I really hope it will stay that way.

I definitely judge.

I will never agree to to do this. I'm absolutely sick of the whole mess. Why we have to do this to please a few.

There are a few people at my work who choose to do this and of course I judge them. Pillocks. I don't understand what they think they are symbolising with it neither. Look at me, I'm on side with transgender people because I feel the need to make it clear to you which pronouns I prefer? It's nonsense.

I’m seeing it more and more and it creates two reactions from me:

Wanker
Oh god, this company are going to be a nightmare to work with

I work with HR departments, the epicentre of woke

Recently had a job applicant do it - the 1st I’ve seen. His application was generally wanky but the pronouns really sealed the deal that he was not who we were looking for!

It's becoming increasingly prevalent in my workplace and I judge like fuck. I want to give the young, bright women in my team, all intelligent, well educated professionals doing an important job, a good shake for putting their pronouns in their emails. Followed by a lecture on women's rights. I don't of course.

There are also a few women in their forties who do it. I find that baffling.

There are many more women than men doing it in my organisation.

I don’t have a gender, just a sex, because I reject the concept of gender as based on sexist stereotypes.

Completely on board with this.

Yes I do judge. I find it absurd, and overtly political for the workplace. I won't be doing it.

Also, surely the pronouns are inferred from the name in most cases? Why does someone signing off as John need to confirm he is a Him? Presumably he'd have changed to a feminine name anyway.

@colouringoencils in French we use inclusive writing (hotly debated) so that instead of a generic masculine you can use iel as a pronoun and write cher.e.s collègues instead of Chers (i.e. masculine) collègues.

@LunaNorth

I roll my eyes so hard that when they finally come to rest they show two bells and a cherry.

On the upside, at least now everyone knows what pronouns are (English teacher).

@LunaNorth do you have 3 eyes? Or do you just identify as someone with 3 eyes?!

I see pronouns and question how well they/ze will work in a team. If you believe that you have the right to tell people how they should refer to you in their absence I judge you are probably controlling, narcissistic and not going to be great in a team.

Yes I sort of understand if you’re a ‘Sam’ or other unisex name l, so people know if you’re a man or a woman but otherwise I don’t get it.

Yes. Unfortunately I do judge and think they are more desirous of the world knowing they’re ‘right on’ than actually committed to the idea of equality for all. It feels a bit ‘look at me’ ambitious and career political gaming.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn I'm well aware that not all LGBTQ+ buy into a distinction between gender and sex. But I am pretty confident that people that do buy into the concept of gender are also more than averagely likely to identify as LGBTQ+. (And yes I do know that sexual orientation is not the same as gender identity, before anyone asks.)

I remain shocked at the number of people who are freely admitting to making recruitment decisions based on an issue which has nothing to do with a person's ability to do the job.

@Lalliella I have an all-seeing third eye

Virtue signalling.

Useful only if they have a gender non specific name (we address customers formally as Mr/Ms/other title if given) and you don't know if someone is called, say Chris, and say Dear Mr/Ms.

@AChickenCalledDaal

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn I'm well aware that not all LGBTQ+ buy into a distinction between gender and sex. But I am pretty confident that people that do buy into the concept of gender are also more than averagely likely to identify as LGBTQ+. (And yes I do know that sexual orientation is not the same as gender identity, before anyone asks.)

I remain shocked at the number of people who are freely admitting to making recruitment decisions based on an issue which has nothing to do with a person's ability to do the job.

I think that bundling all the letters together is extremely unhelpful. And the more letters that are included, the more unhelpful it gets.

I don't judge but my heart sinks a little in case it becomes expected more widely. I do not wish to declare my sex in my email signoffs as women are discriminated against enough as it is.