Petty yet annoying

[ELENATION 0]

to me it depends on who says it and how it is said. I work for a faith-based non-profit and deal with a lot of senior-citizen clerics and women religious, and I get a lot of "honey" and "dear" from them. But the condecending ones - forget it!

I'm 100% with you! it depends from who and when! I know that some people are just really nice and mean it in a sweet way and some are fakes!

[newgirl07 0]

I HATE IT when people call me honey or sweetie. Worse yet -- Kiddo! And cupcake borders on harassment; report him to HR!

This crap is not only demeaning it's SEXIST. How many men have to contend with being called these little pet names? It may happen every once in a while but never to the extent women have to endure. If I EVER get any of that crap I say, "Please don't call me that."

Lest you all think I'm too much of a hardass, my bf and I call each other "sweetheart" because he IS my sweetheart. Otherwise, unless you're my very close friend forget it!:angry

[ingyrob 1]

If you thin Hun and Sweetie are bad, where I come from everyone is called "duck"

[mrspruett 0]

When an 18 year old waitress/waiter does it while taking my order in a restaurant, it drives me freaking nuts!

[Nancy B 0]

I have a new co-worker who calls everyone "sweetie" or "honey". I really think for some people, it is just a habit, or a term of endearment. I'm not sure they mean anything condescending about it. I think it depends on the TONE.

[Daisalana 33]

I wasn't raised to say ma'am or sir.. so that is the same way to me.. I remember in school teachers would correct me to say it, and it felt so akward coming out of my mouth. Now, I know this is a respect thing, but it just wasn't something I was accustomed to. To this day, I don't do it.

And for the record, the last woman my DH said 'ma'am' to (he's southernly, so he opens the doors for ladies, and says things like ma'am to strangers) the lady turned to her husband and said "You hear that? I'm a 'ma'am'".

But, sweetie and hon from strangers is the same thing to me. I'm not accustomed to it, I would never DREAM of calling someone I don't know that.. not even friends really.. just DH and only when I want him to do me a favor :car:

It feels condescending when I hear it from people.

[nina874 48]

Guilty as charged.....LOL

I do it a lot, especially if someone is upset, I will type ' oh no dont do that hon, it will only make you feel worse' for example. I think without it sometimes a post can come over too strong/dictatorial ...maybe its just me?

I have to say that my sister and I always call each other 'babes' cos using each others full names just seems too formal.

Woman to woman I like it, from man to woman it has to be used carefully.

Nina x