Why do people who don't know you call you sweetie?

Question

I see it all of the time in answers here - and I think it's annoying. I would call a 4 year old sweetie, but not someone on Yahoo! answers. Seriously, you don't know if I'm sweet or not.

Are they trying to get points? Isn't it condescending? Just piggish? Stupid? I don't know. What do YOU think?? (And if you call me sweetie here, you're an idiot.)

If some of you would have read my WHOLE question - you would have known that I was asking about Yahoo Answers, not people in person.

paul lee - It's the same principle if they call me sweetie OR ugly. They don't know me, so shouldn't call me either. YOU however, judging from your questions on here, ARE a true idiot!!

Chocolatelover wrote that she does call people sweetie, but certainly NOT on Yahoo Answers - "that's just dumb", she said. Agreed Chocolatelover.

oracle - I've seen it here on all sorts of questions, not just the naive ones, but I can see your point.

In fact, there is a nice older woman that works in the deli at my local grocery store. She calls everyone "hun" when she takes their order, and it doesn't bother me. She's been there forever - and makes everyone feel well taken care of. WAY different than Yahoo answers.

Answer 1

I hate that and I think it is very inappropriate. I don't know these people and I don't want them to call me dear or honey or sweetie. Even in public, they may deserve a smack in the face for it lol. This has always bothered me to see that on here.

Answer 2

I don't use the word sweetie, but I know a few people that do. I do however use the word hon. You would probably file this in the same category. It's a habit I developed from my mom and I think that is where a lot of people get it. From the adults they grow up around or especially if you grow up in a small community where everyone knows each other. I know a lot of people who use it because being completely formal just feels awkward. I guess I'm not sure why people take offense to it. I can see taking offense to someone calling you mean names, but why get offended if someone is being nice. It doesn't mean they think they know you. They're just trying to be friendly. Unless of course it's some guy saying " Hey sweetie, come on over this way," or something like that.

Answer 3

It is rude for a much younger person to use an endearment, especially to a stranger, or someone they do not know well.
Older people do so, because that is what the older generation does. You are acknowledging that the other person is nice, and means well, in advance of knowing them. I personally do not think it is generally condescending, it depends on how it is said.
"LOOK, SWEETY, I SAID..." is condescending. "Oh, sweety, your Mother brags so much about you, It's so nice to meet you," is not.
We were taught in Nursing school to never use an endearment, but, patients in the specialty departments that I work in respond to it. It does mitigate some critisism that I might be about to deliver. "Oh, honey, you really should go to therapy, you would get so much better so much faster", for a patient I have worked with, would be better taken than, "the rules are everyone goes to therapy."
Most people think they will be seen as loving and compassionate when they use endearments. And it is often recieved that way.
There are lots of reasons for using endearments, As a way to be flirtatious is another. Just listen to what is being said, and how it is said, and respond accordingly, and as you wish.

Answer 4

Some who use the expression are being polite, and
might be overdoing it. To some it's just their way of
being cute. It depends on who is using the expression.

I get your point, though. Words have meaning or they
don't. There are people that don't like being called
"sweetie" for any damn reason.

Some use it as a short version of sweetheart.
However, if that person is not your "sweetheart," some
body could take it as an insult.
Most arguments happen because people don't agree
on meaning. If a male whore calls you "sweetie,"
definitely take it as an insult.
If it's a friend, co-worker, family, mostly there's no
harm intended.

Answer 5

I'm a born and raised Manhattanite. When I was in New Orleans recently, I found that people said that all the time just as a matter of habit. Where New Yorkers say unprintable words, Southerners -generally speaking- say 'sweetie' or 'sugar' or something. It's just a habit, the same way some people will say 'You know,' a lot.

Answer 6

at least they aren't saying ***** or Stupid, what's so insulting about being called sweety? I personally wouldn't call someone sweety that I don't know, so I get what you mean but I guess it's just something some people say when they're happy or trying to comfort someone, I dont know the reason but I don't think it's something to get mad over.

Answer 7

I am not an idiot.I am very far from stupid, and I'm not sure what "piggish" means.
I was raised in the South to be a gracious and loving "lady". "Sweetie" is simply a word for someone you are talking to,
like , "Hey, Man" to you cold Yankee beeootches!

Answer 8

It's because the question asked is so blantantly naive that the response comes in a parental sort of way....sweetie.

Answer 9

I dislike it intensely when anyone who does not know me calls me "Sweetie" or "Honey" (and aren't my parents or fiance) or any other endearment rather than my given name. I especially hate it when it is coming from a much younger person. It is completely ignorant and inappropriate. Given the number of other people who express annoyance about such endearments it is surprising anyone ever makes such a social faux pas, but they still do.

Answer 10

I don't like it either, but I think some people get so used to using it with their friends and family members that it becomes natural.