How Ya Doin’, Kiddo?
Who knew? I guess people really hate the word “kiddo” when speaking to kids. “Hey, kiddo, nice job!” They think it’s too cute or condescending, talking down instead of treating them like real people.
I gotta admit, I never call kids “kiddo.” I use it when speaking to baby boomers, and they always thank me for it. Probably because boomers saw themselves as the forever-young generation.
I picked up “kiddo” from Patience O’Connor, a client and Washington, D.C., partner in a development firm. She used to greet me with “How ya doin’, kiddo?” or sign off with “See ya, kiddo.” I always got a kick out of it. I took it as a term of endearment, kinda like giving somebody a nickname.
We worked with Patience on some really interesting projects, including the comeback and upgrade of Baystate West, projects in Providence and Cincinnati, and the Pavilion at the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C.
I still stay in touch with Patience, and she still does her usual kiddo routine. Now she ends our calls with “Be well, kiddo.” And I still like it. Keep your dukes up.
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