One of yesterday's blogs gave me an idea.  Target Stores being in trouble today because of a T shirt furthered my idea and purpose in today's topic.  It is so easy when trying to be creative to step on toes.  Examples; Washington Redskins asked to stop using 'redskins' as it isn't complimentary to Native Americans.  Target's T-shirt is part of their fun wedding attire...it says in big letters across the front TROPHY as in trophy wife.  Women all over America are upset; one today said "it makes women feel like they are an 'object"  The confederate flag has been deemed inappropriate to many Americans.  This takes me back in time.  About 20 years ago, in order to be politically correct and gender appropriate, these recommendations were made.  We might say;

In the apartment industry we have tried very hard to use more appropriate terms, such as:

Not maintenance man, but service or maintenance technician/tech

Not leasing agent, but leasing consultant or associate or something even more polished

Not complex or project, but community or property

Not apartment manager, but resident manager or business manager

Not unit, but apartment home

Doesn't this make a more user friendly statement "A resident living in an apartment community in their apartment home" than a tenant going to their unit in the complex?  We have been practicing this for many years!

And rather than imply that the property/owner/staff is responsible for our residents safety/security we might say the following:

Not security gates, but limited access gates

Not security alarm, but intruder alarm or something similar

Not security guard, but courtesy office or after hours patrol

I commented yesterday that it is smart for legal reasons not to imply/suggest in any way that any employee, owners representative, any policy or words used, state that people 'will be safe here, or on third floor, or because of gates/alarms or because someone patrols after hours.'    It is physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially impossible for us to take responsibility for several hundred people living in the community. I have long suggested that when we are asked about safety or security, that we reply "here, just as everywhere else you might be, you should stay aware and know that you have responsibility for your own safety"  If that were not so, would parking lots and highways be held liable for our safety? 

We live in a very litigious and sensitive society.  Sometimes those issues make our jobs tough!