Does it bother you to be called, "Honey" or "Sweetheart" by strangers? (business, female)

[Katnan]

Originally Posted by Everdeen

When a young person uses it with a person who is old enough to be their mother, it's condescending. But then again, the whole respect is treated with ire, so I guess, it shouldn't surprise me.

That's how I feel, that it's condescending for a teenaged girl to call me hon. I don't say anything or express annoyance, but I think to myself that it's rude and not how you speak to your elders. And I don't live in a locale where hon is used as an everyday part of speech.

[John13]

Originally Posted by P47P47

I'm very surprised to hear that. I'm guessing that you both are mostly around younger people, who don't use the expression (or have distinct Baltimore accents) as much as older city residents.

I'm 59 and I do not hang around any younger people. My youngest friend is 51.

I know Baltimore has a "Hon Festival" but I do not know what it is about nor do I understand it.

I also heard the "welcome to Baltimore, hon" from somewhere. Perhaps it's an old saying.

[brocco]

By itself I can't say it bothers me, but if said in a condescending tone then I will absolutely be annoyed.

[ms67]

I find overly friendly people strange. My problem is on a couple different occasions I have had weird experiences with people. When I was a teenager,a creepy boy walked into my parents yard & was looking through the windows of our home. My mom called the police. And when I was walking downtown this weird guy came up to me and goes hi. I said hi and he started following me. This person has been arrested before. So when absolute strangers call me honey or dear at a checkout in stores,it bothers me after those weird encounters.

[ss20ts]

I had dinner in a restaurant a few weeks ago and the waitress kept calling me sweetie and honey. It was sooooooo awkward. She was talking to me like I'm 90.....I'm not even half of 90! I am older than the waitress was. It was sooo bizarre. This was in a large touristy area in Virginia. It just struck me as so odd.

[Eternal Nightsong]

Nope it's a turn of endearment. And if she's friendly and cute what does it really hurt?


So many touchy/intolerable people nowadays? Has the world always been like this?
Reminds me of that other thread about using the word
"sir"

[rrah]

I consider the "intent" of the speaker. 98% of the time I think no harm or disrespect is intended so I am not offended. It's a way of speaking is some areas.

Now, when the male at whatever stereotypically, "manly" shop (auto repair, hardware store, etc.) calls me sweetie or honey I might react differently depending on his body language and tone of voice.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by Eternal Nightsong

Nope it's a turn of endearment. And if she's friendly and cute what does it really hurt?


So many touchy/intolerable people nowadays? Has the world always been like this?
Reminds me of that other thread about using the word
"sir"

I don't notice if females are cute. They're not my thing. I find it very condescending....even more so when someone younger than me does it.

[eureka1]

No.

[Gretchen963]

Originally Posted by rrah

I consider the "intent" of the speaker. 98% of the time I think no harm or disrespect is intended so I am not offended. It's a way of speaking is some areas.

Yep.