Terms of Endearment and Their Impact on the Workplace: How Personal Should Interpersonal Communication Be?

Virginia Hemby Middle Tennessee State University ; Susan Luck Pfeiffer University ; Susan Schanne Center for Agricultural Resources Research

Abstract

This study investigates how overly familiar personal communication habits, specifically the use of terms of endearment, impact professional workplace relationships. It examines the role of demographic factors—such as age, ethnicity, geographic region, and sexual orientation—in shaping perceptions of these communication patterns. Additionally, the study addresses the legal and ethical implications of such language usage in the workplace. Using data from 154 respondents, the results provide insight into how various demographics perceive personal communication in a professional context.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-08-05
DOI
10.1177/23294906251352796
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