How do children refer to adults in NC?

[clockwork]

Originally Posted by Indigoblue

A couple of my professors I worked closely with as an undergrad started signing their emails with their first names and I remember it freaked me out

I think that if professors sign their e-mails with their first name, then they want you to refer to them by that name. Most of my close professors in undergrad signed their e-mails with either their first name, initials only, or first letter of their first name.

Personally, I don't like people to refer to me as 'Sir,' 'Mr.,' or (hopefully) 'Prof./Dr.' Of course, I also wouldn't want someone to refer to me as 'Hey you'. I am much more comfortable with a first-name basis, even in professional capacities.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by mm_mary73

I am not "sweetie", "honey", or "hun" - it is demeaning and condescending.

I'm a feminist too but if being called "Sug" or "Hon" gets me in good with the waitress at the Toot & Tell Cafe then I'm all over it. Sugs and Hons never have empty tea glasses... and I'm all about that sweet tea!

Hon, can I have an extra lemon with my tea? Why, thank you ma'am!

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by PDXmom

I'm a feminist too but if being called "Sug" or "Hon" gets me in good with the waitress at the Toot & Tell Cafe then I'm all over it. Sugs and Hons never have empty tea glasses... and I'm all about that sweet tea!

Hon, can I have an extra lemon with my tea? Why, thank you ma'am!

Good thought!
Gotta go for the SUBSTANCE in life.

[MrsSteel]

I'm also a feminist, but I was brought up in an area where people commonly call eachother "hon", "sweetie", "dearheart", etc. I frequently come across ladies who work at banks or restaurants who use these terms & I find it quite sweet. Reminds me of home. That being said, though, I would not appreciate this level of familiarity when working on a professional level. It just isn't very professional.

I find that women can easily get away with using these terms of endearment without ruffling a lot of feathers. The problem is when men try to use them. My male family members & friends can call me "sweetheart", but I'd feel strange if a male stranger or aquaintance used that term. This may seem unfair & sexist, but it's definitely true for a lot of women.

[clockwork]

Originally Posted by MrsSteel

I find that women can easily get away with using these terms of endearment without ruffling a lot of feathers.

A waitress called me 'sweetie' last month, which I didn't mind at all, although the moniker seemed to 'ruffle the features' of my wife-to-be, lol.

[lovemaine]

I've been called sweetie, honey, hon, etc. My favorite was at the post office the other day. The clerk called me "ladybug". As for ma'am and sir: way too formal for me. IMHO, respect doesn't come from addressing people in a formal manner. It's how you treat people and how they treat you.

[robin from Oregon]

Originally Posted by SALUKI_LOVER

it was so refreshing to see how polite children were during out visit.

Hi Saluki Lover -
I recently moved here to NC and it is very refreshing, but the reason I'm responding to your post in particular is your name - are you an SIU alumnus by any chance? (I am, by the way)