Do you like it when people call you by "sweetie" or "honey'?

Question

I hate that. The only person I want calling me that is my mom, or boyfriend. That is so inpersonal and rude, especially when you are not even younger than 25. Give me my respected identity and call me by my name. What do you think?

I meant impersonal. Sorry:)

Answer 1

I know people mean well, but it really annoys me. When I was younger, it infantalized me. Now that I'm older, I feel like I'm being patronized.

Answer 2

It doesn't bother me in the least. I get called both all the time at work and before anyone screams sexual harassment it isn't like that. I am a chemical lab tech in an industrial environment. I climb up onto production lines to get chemicals out of tanks to test them. I work with all men.. I'm the only women. These line operators I have been working with for 14 years now and they call me sweetheart and sweetie and darling and I know it is out of affection and liking for me. I know they respect me so it doesn't bother me at all. Back when I was single (and even now that I'm married) if any guy from another dept area hits on me in a serious matter these guys all tell him to back off... it's like having 14 brothers.

Answer 3

It really depends who says it, and in what context. If they are being condescending, I hate it. If they are just being friendly, then I think it's nice. For example, I usually don't like it when a man I'm working with says it to me. But a lot of the older women I work with use terms like that, and I think they are being nice. Personally, I don't use any of those terms at work, because I'm not sure when it would be appropriate and when I'd offend someone. I know many people are offended more easily than I am.

Answer 4

I agree - BUT- there is this older woman, grandma style, the is a clerk at the local drugstore,who calls everyone sweetie, honey and baby. She makes everyone smile and no one is offended. That's the only time I haven't cringed (other than the obvious SO or family member using the term).
:-)

Answer 5

It depends...if someone off the street hey honey or sweetie I'd kind of take offense, but if someone like a boyfriend or a parent even a close friend it doesn't matter because you should know there intentions.

Answer 6

Impersonal? I find it to be Really personal. I don't mind it at all. The world is so cold most of the time it's nice to hear some warm, kind words from a stranger every now & then.

What would you rather? Everybody be extremely cold & just ignore one another?

Answer 7

I don't like it either. I am 27, and have 4 kids. I will be walking in the store sometimes, and people will say excuse me honey, or let me get by sweetie, that just runs all over me. Why can't they say mam? It makes me feel like a child, and i know that i am not anymore.

Answer 8

I work in a retail store that sells alot of Work wear and work boots and I get that all the time. Honey, Sweetie, Hun, sugar and the occasional babe. It's kind of annoying but I think most of the guys are really oblivious that they are doing it.

Answer 9

It depends. I dont mind when people say "Hi sweetie" or "Oh, sweetie!" or something along those lines, but it gets irriating when thats ALL they call you. If it is just a greeting or as a cute little comment thats fine. But if it turns into a subsititue for my name, I start to get mad and I dont keep it in.

Answer 10

In the south, it is very common for Women to call other people sweetie or honey...don't take it personal. That is just how they were brought up.

Answer 11

If it's not my boyfriend, father, friend, or mother, then I don't feel that it's OK to call someone by that. I had a sub. teacher once who called all the girls in the classroom Honey, and some girls complained and he isn't allowed to sub. there again! If someone calls me by that, I always remind them what my real name is!