Does anyone else think that being called 'sweetie' 'dear' or 'honey' is really condesending

Question

Its alright if its by your mom and stuff. But what about people that are your age? or if theyre taller than you? tell me what you think :P

Thanks for your opinions! Oh and btw I meant to say that calling your 'loved ones' that doesn't count. I mean strangers and stuff. I agree with a lot of you that I hate it! My parents don't call me any of that either.

Answer 1

I think it's a local difference; in some areas it's used only among family and close friends, in other areas -especially the Southern US- it's used as a very common term, for anyone at all. I try to realise this and not feel offended, but I still don't like it when someone calls me 'sweetie'!

Answer 2

I know I'm practically the only one on the planet, but I like it when someone calls me pet names, even a waitress or a stranger. My daughter hates it, though.

I do call strangers such names sometimes at work and I can assure you that it is NEVER MY intention to be belittling, I truly mean to offer a genuine kindness to you as a human being, or mean to be comforting if the situation is stressful. But I guess I'll stop after reading all these answers. I am a very grandmotherly sort of person if it makes a difference.

Answer 3

I think it tends to be regional and generational. People from some areas, like the South as mentioned above, use those terms without a thought. Older people use it too. I'm only offended if it feels like the person's trying to be condescending, which is rarely, or hitting on me, which is annoying.

My Mom was a "hon" and "sweetie" person, and sometimes I hear myself saying those things without thinking about it. I mean no offense when I do, I seem to be just echoing my late Mom.

Answer 4

Man, just makes me feel old. Usually it is someone only about a couple years older than me saying it.

Now if it was some fine looking young thing, I'd melt right in my pants. Problem is, my hearing isn't so good and I rarely wear the hearing aid cause I'm too tight to spend 6 bucks for 5 batteries. When that happens, I think they are saying " tweetie, queer or homely". So I just smile, like alot of old farts do and pretend nothing has happened.

Answer 5

I think it's not alright if strangers call you that. I lived in Australia for a while & would get shop assistants & other strangers calling me darl (darling) & hon (honey) It's just the way Aussie are but I hated it. There are probably terms that just be referred to by loved ones.

Answer 6

That's my BIGGEST pet peeve! I'm 21 and really short, and I look younger, so it drives me up the wall when 16 year olds think I'm 13 or so and refer to me like I'm younger than them. I think it's condesending to call someone a name that should be set aside for small children and loved ones. It's inappropriate. Think about it, if you assume someone like myself is just a kid when you're working in a professional setting you're in for trouble. I'll tolerate it from older people, but from anyone else I just stop whatever I'm doing and give them the nastiest look I can conjure...haha

Answer 7

Are you being called this by boys? If so, return the compliment by calling them your "Sweet mamoo."

If its a girl, call her sweetie right back. If she looks at you weird, she will probably stop. Or laughingly tell her that she reminds you of your grandma when she calls you that. Start calling her "Grammie." She'll get the message.

Answer 8

I think your sticking your tongue out at all of us is rude, too.

That aside, however, I only like those terms from someone in whom I'm romantically interested. Of course, when I'm in the deep South (southeastern US) I just plain get used to "Honey." It's just plain going to happen and there's no use fighting against the inevitable.

As a kid, and a short one at that, I was always getting those kinds of words used at me. There was one that didn't offend me, and I recall it to this day. A gentleman in a shop asked if I'd seen someone he was looking for. I liked the way he addressed me: "Sister, have you seen..." I didn't yet know the word "condescending" at that age, but I liked "sister" because it wasn't.

Answer 9

Depends on who's calling you that. I have a friend who calls me Sweetie, because i am his sweetheart. My boss will at times call he Dear when I've done something that really helps him out. I've known him for years and think nothing of it. I don't like it when a clerk or waitress calls me something like that.

Answer 10

MY HUBBY DOES THIS WHEN HE`S ACTING LIKE A REAL JERK!! " Unfortnately, SWEETIE, you don`t have a clue about what you`re talking about". I tell him, " Ahh, sorry, HONEY, say that again and you`ll wear the handshovel"!!!My hubby always made the " Sweetie" remark untill I threatened him with our garden tools!!