“Lovely”

In the interests of equality, well done, Bridie

Thank you 🙂

Does simp not just mean simpleton? In which case it's definitely not a lovely descriptor.
I was once told I was refreshing. I don't think that was complimentary.

Aveline

Does simp not just mean simpleton? In which case it's definitely not a lovely descriptor.
I was once told I was refreshing. I don't think that was complimentary.

It might do, but I'm sure it means so one who sulks up to others.

sodapop

A step up from the ubiquitous ' nice' though.

We were told not to use nice by our English teacher!!

Ziplok

I’m sure it’s meant well. What alternative would you suggest?
I think sometimes, offence is looked for where none whatsoever is intended!

What alternative would you suggest?

Well, when medical staff call me "my lovely" I instinctively understand it's well meant, however it is a tad patronising.

I do notice though that doctors and consultants / surgeons don't do it - they tend to use the name you've indicated on your admission form that you'd like to be known by.

Because it's well-meant, I'd never complain, but it is infantilising.

As for looking for offence - this thread gives us the opportunity to say how we feel. But that doesn't mean anyone is permanently offended - or even looking to be so - just sharing their opinion.

Whenever I am asked “Do you know your postcard I say yes and I give it , Fantastic !! Why wouldn’t I know my postcode !!!

Aveline

Does simp not just mean simpleton? In which case it's definitely not a lovely descriptor.
I was once told I was refreshing. I don't think that was complimentary.

I was once told I was refreshing.

Do you remember the 1987 libel trial (The Archer Affair) where Mary Archer was described as fragrant?

In the judge's summing up he asked, "is she not fragrant?"

Marydoll. I have seen a copy of a consultants letter to my GP. , He said. “. I examined this very pleasant lady today””. I wonder if he says that about every female patient ??

Here it is often sarcastic as in ‘ well that’s just lovely, isn’t it ?’ meaning exactly the opposite. I’d rather lovely than nasty or horrid.

At at centre where I did Pilates some of the staff talked a lot about physiotherapist ‘the lovely Alex’. I needed his expertise so booked, worried that I might not think him ‘lovely’. After the first helpful session I told him of my worry. As it happens he was lovely but unimpressed by the staff.
A local online notice board has many posts about lost or found cats, One poster had found a cat and was appealing for anyone who recognised the ‘lovely boy’ to get in touch. She wanted to restore him to ‘his lovely owners’ - about whom she could surely have known nothing!

All have their place but not “dear”

Lilypops Consultants have a code they use when describing patients. Very pleasant means that you were a perfectly nice person that he had no problem dealing with. I'm out of touch with consultants' letters now so I can't remember other (less flattering) Examples.

I suppose though if one were feeling super confident one day it would be refreshing -not to mention hilarious to replace the lovely’s with * distinctly average* for any of those esteemed people such as mentioned above😉

I don't mind lovely at all however many times, but "delicious" just sets my teeth in edge. Delicious lunch, delicious tea, cake etc. Aaaaaaaah

I think ‘very pleasant lady’ in medical letters is shorthand for co-operative and not difficult

As for ‘lovely’ - guilty as charged RosiesMaw. My dogs, my children, grandchildren, friends are all lovely, I’ll try to be more articulate

I am often a "very pleasant lady" in my medical letters. Charming once! If only they knew!

Miss Doolittle liked it ‘Wouldn’t It Be Lovely’ . 😀

Ella Fitzgerald liked it ‘It’s a Lovely Day Today’ 😀

lovely is a lovely uplifting cheery word, who cares if it is a cover-all. The actual word has musical tones and sounds like tinkling bells. Life is too short to think of alternative words from the dictionary

I have a lovely house in a lovely county
lovely garden
lovely magpies visit daily
lovely hobbies
lovely family
lovely clothes
and my life is full of loveliness

Helter, I thought I was the only “pleasant lady”. In medical letters. But now I realise I am not the only one !!! They say it to everyone. 🤔

Thankyou Deeda. So there are lots of pleasant ladies then. Not just me!,, I was flattered at first. Still it’s nice to think that I come across as easy to deal with and cooperative. I do try to be ,most of the time,

No they don't. Sometimes it's 'This interesting lady's. That gives some pause for thought.

karmalady

lovely is a lovely uplifting cheery word, who cares if it is a cover-all. The actual word has musical tones and sounds like tinkling bells. Life is too short to think of alternative words from the dictionary

I have a lovely house in a lovely county
lovely garden
lovely magpies visit daily
lovely hobbies
lovely family
lovely clothes
and my life is full of loveliness

I could not agree less!
Our English language is infinitely richer than the paucity of synonyms for “lovely” implied.
You could try (in order)
Charming house, beautiful country, picturesque garden, handsome magpies (evil creatures!) , fascinating/absorbing hobbies, loving family ,flattering/smart clothes , and a life full of joy

But if the word 'lovely' makes her happy then that's fine. No need to be the teacher here!

karmalady

lovely is a lovely uplifting cheery word, who cares if it is a cover-all. The actual word has musical tones and sounds like tinkling bells. Life is too short to think of alternative words from the dictionary

I have a lovely house in a lovely county
lovely garden
lovely magpies visit daily
lovely hobbies
lovely family
lovely clothes
and my life is full of loveliness

lovely magpies visit daily
I might disagree there, karmalady!

I thought we'd lost the squawking, harsh sounds of horrible magpies when a neighbour had a tree cut down but alas, they're back.
Hoping a lovely sparrowhawk might be along soon!