I'm not sure if this is the right place to post but I need some advice

[Mamabear04]

I'm sorry if this is not the right board but I didn't want to post in AIBU as there can be a lot of volatile people on there.

Basically I teach a night class for adults and I'm pretty sure I just got someone's pronoun wrong infront of the whole class and I am absolutely cringing and so embarrassed. What should I do? Pull them aside next time and quietly apologise? Ignore it and use "them" next time or something else? I feel so archaic in that it just slipped off the tongue and I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. I am absolutely kicking myself!

How do you know you got it wrong?

how do you know it was wrong? I suppose the issue is you don’t actually know what pronouns they use unless they previously mentioned it and you just forgot? Don’t beat yourself up about it at all, I’ve slipped up with pronouns before and I just correct myself and move on, it happens :) don’t worry x

Would you be this aghast if you accidentally called someone the wrong name?

I'd just stop stressing and don't worry about it.

Most socially awkward situations are smoothed over best of you have a ready apology should you need one (person is upset or tells you you erred), but just discreetly move on and get it right next time otherwise.

Fortunately I've never had anyone impose their pronouns on me. I would use their name only. As a woman said "I may be rude but I'm not a fucking liar "

Thanks everyone, you have kind of calmed my nerves about it. The person has never specified pronouns and is quite androgynous, even their name is not a run of the mill name which is why I thought that I maybe messed up. I just don't want them to be upset or feel uneasy in the class. Maybe I did but I will take your advice and apologise if they bring it up and then say them/they? I feel so out of touch with the correct way to address people!

It's fine, if it's wrong then someone can let you know. It's often hard to gauge if someone is male or female as it is (have had this problem often in life myself, at least) so I prefer to refer to folks as... folks, person, name, class member, whatever - unless I specifically know or it is very very apparent through dress. Don't worry about this any more than you'd worry about misnaming or mistitling someone.