Marriage lets you call your spouse names

When India’s Ambassador to the United States, Ronen Sen tried to justify comments made about media critics and our MPs by stating that he referred to his wife as a ‘headless chicken’ too, he sparked a furore amongst Mumbaikars. Speak Up asks the city’s denizens if they are slighted when called names by their spouses

My wife’s used to it now
I call my wife a pig when I am angry with her. But she knows that I do so only only when I'm upset and she is pretty used to it now. I feel I can vent my frustration on her because if I do so on someone else, I'll get slapped in the face.
Karan  S. Bandra

I call my wife Lalita Pawar
People can call their spouse whatever names they want to and I don't see anything wrong with it. When we argue, I sometimes end up calling mine names like Lalita Pawar or Shashikala, yesteryear vamps. She doesn't really mind.
Surjit B. Santacruz

Spouses have liberty
Marriage gives people the liberty to call their spouses by whatever name they wish to. I refer to my wife as pumpkin, and I do that because she actually is like a pumpkin. But I never really say it in a derogatory manner. It's more a term of endearment than anything else.
Feroz K. Andheri

I hurt my wife a few times
My wife's not all that good looking and it really hurts her when I call her an ugly duckling. I did so a few times in front of family members which upset her greatly. But I didn't realise it then, or I wouldn't have done it.
Kevin D. Mahim

My hubby calls me a hippo
I am a little fat and my husband insists on calling me a hippo. I hate it when he does that. He does not intend to call me by that name in front of others, but sometimes it he says it unintentionally and people start laughing. Although it hurts, I don't show it because I know it will upset him.
Chaya M. Worli

Dare he call me names
My husband once called me a dog. It really upset me and I explained to him in a peaceful way that even I would call him dirty names. He hasn't dared call me any names after that.
Sophie A. Bandra

I don't get offended
My husband calls me good-for-nothing all the time, but I really don't feel offended. I feel that such names should be taken sportingly out of love for your partner. There's no point in feeling offended.
Meera S. Khar

Sen shouldn’t have said it
As a woman, I take strong offence to Ronen Sen's statement and he shouldn’t have said it. All women should protest against him. It doesn't matter how things might be with his wife, it should not be made public. I would end the relation with my husband if he ever uses such terms to address me.
Sara K. Colaba