And don't call me sweetie

[rajak73]

I'd rather be called sweetie than ma'am. That makes me feel old and I'm only 43.

Just wait until you get the senior discount and they don't even ask!

 

[dizcrazee]

I think it's sort of a "fad thing". I have lived in the southern U.S. all my life, and no one ever used to call casual acquaintances and strangers "sweetie" around here. In fact, the only time I heard this word used in casual, non-intimate settings was in TV and movies where they were trying to fake a southern accent and dialect.

Then, for some reason, a few years ago young women started saying it to virtually everyone. I think they bought the fake southern thing on TV and thought it was cool or cute to say it.

I am a college professor and, believe it or not, sometimes my students call me sweetie! As in..."Thanks for giving me an extension on that paper, sweetie". It really feels disrespectful and inappropriate to me. I never would have called my professors sweetie - it wasn't done when I was a student, thank goodness. It's ridiculous.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I think it's sort of a "fad thing". I have lived in the southern U.S. all my life, and no one ever used to call casual acquaintances and strangers "sweetie" around here. In fact, the only time I heard this word used in casual, non-intimate settings was in TV and movies where they were trying to fake a southern accent and dialect.

Then, for some reason, a few years ago young women started saying it to virtually everyone. I think they bought the fake southern thing on TV and thought it was cool or cute to say it.

I am a college professor and, believe it or not, sometimes my students call me sweetie! As in..."Thanks for giving me an extension on that paper, sweetie". It really feels disrespectful and inappropriate to me. I never would have called my professors sweetie - it wasn't done when I was a student, thank goodness. It's ridiculous.

That is outrageous. Did you talk to them about it?

 

[dizcrazee]

That is outrageous. Did you talk to them about it?

I didn't the first time it happened because I was so shocked and I really didn't want to hurt the student's feelings, but now I have a standard response that I use to let them know that it's not appropriate...I smile nicely and in a very polite tone I say....

"You're very nice to call me that, but I think it's best if you refer to me as Dr. xxxxxx since that's what the other students call me."

Hopefully, this gets the point across without me offending them. I know they are just trying to be nice, but they need to know that it's not always appropriate to use these terms.

 

[mhsjax]

I think it's sort of a "fad thing". I have lived in the southern U.S. all my life, and no one ever used to call casual acquaintances and strangers "sweetie" around here. In fact, the only time I heard this word used in casual, non-intimate settings was in TV and movies where they were trying to fake a southern accent and dialect.

Then, for some reason, a few years ago young women started saying it to virtually everyone. I think they bought the fake southern thing on TV and thought it was cool or cute to say it.

I am a college professor and, believe it or not, sometimes my students call me sweetie! As in..."Thanks for giving me an extension on that paper, sweetie". It really feels disrespectful and inappropriate to me. I never would have called my professors sweetie - it wasn't done when I was a student, thank goodness. It's ridiculous.[/QUOT

Saying it to your college professor is totally inappropriate. This from someone who has no problem with the term as long as it is meant in a nice way.

 

[dyna]

It usually does not bother me but a couple of yrs ago I did a dinner for awake of a neighbor who had passed away. Her soon whom I grew up with an we was never ever fond of one another wanted to call me HONEY AN SWEETHEART all the sudden. I'm sure it's a habit he's picked up being an insurance salesman but I looked at him an reminded him who I was an that thought even less of him now than I did when we was kids.

I was there to do a huge favor for my mother by doing the dinner not the family of the deceased.

 

[RadioNate]

Depends on the person but I have one friend who calls me honey all the time. Can not stand it. I've asked her to stop. She doesn't. When she says it, it is absolutely condescending. It has significantly effected our friendship. In fact I've greatly distanced myself.

 

[RadioNate]

Ma'am is SO not a term of respect where I am from- it is the opposite!

Ditto here. It's usually accompanied by a 1-finger salute behind the back.

 

[LiveYourLife]

I only dislike being called honey or sweetie when I'm in an argument. For example, if I'm on the phone with a company and we're having some kind of disagreement and the young lady on the phone calls me honey condescendingly, I get mad. Other than that, I don't really mind.

I swear LLD, you must be walking around in my brain. I was just about to post the same sentiments, when I was like "crap, I better go back and read all of the responses before I post, in case someone shares my same opinion". Low and behold, there you are! LOL.

So yeah, what LLD said!

 

[North of Mouse]

I think it's sort of a "fad thing". I have lived in the southern U.S. all my life, and no one ever used to call casual acquaintances and strangers "sweetie" around here. In fact, the only time I heard this word used in casual, non-intimate settings was in TV and movies where they were trying to fake a southern accent and dialect.

Can't speak for where you live, and don't know where it is, but it definitely isn't a fad in south LA. It is as deeply ingrained in our conversations as *y'all*. I love it, doesn't bother me a bit. There are certainly worse things to be called

Agree, it's not an appropriate professor/student exchange. Never heard of that before. Sounds like someone trying to be cutesy and failing.

 

[LilyWDW]

Can't speak for where you live, and don't know where it is, but it definitely isn't a fad in south LA. It is as deeply ingrained in our conversations as *y'all*. I love it, doesn't bother me a bit. There are certainly worse things to be called

Agree, it's not an appropriate professor/student exchange. Never heard of that before. Sounds like someone trying to be cutesy and failing.

Nor a fad in NE or Middle TN. I have heard it since we started visiting colleges around here... and I graduated high school in 2000 to give you an idea as to how long it has been.

Though I do agree it is inappropriate for a student to say it to their professor. Just like it would be inappropriate for an employee to say it to their boss.

 

[Stitchfans]

Count me in as someone who it doesn't bother. I myself use those phrases once in a while.

 

[gracie1]

It doesn't bother me at all. I actually like it. I also work in an environment with all men contractors and I am the only female. I get called sweet pea, sunshine, sweetie, honey, baby doll. Of course I like those names much better than some other ones that I have been called!! Lol

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm not a fan of it sweetie, honey, etc. I remember being called that as a kid when I went to have my hair cut and the receptionist would call me sweetie with a very syrupy southern accent. Ick.

I do think it bothers me less from an older person. I am a fan of ma'am and I use it often--whether you are 6 or 96.

 

[davedmaine]

I hate when servers refer to you as honey, sweetie, darlin, etc. I had one at lunch today and I wanted to slap her. (It probably didn't help that I was on a 45 minute hold with the IRS. )

But in all seriousness, why do they do that? I know I can't be the only one that hates it. It's not endearing, its annoying!

You being on the phone was probably super annoying to her too..

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I don't mind I think it is sweet.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

I swear LLD, you must be walking around in my brain. I was just about to post the same sentiments, when I was like "crap, I better go back and read all of the responses before I post, in case someone shares my same opinion". Low and behold, there you are! LOL.

So yeah, what LLD said!

Great minds think alike, LYL!

 

[KMarston]

Ma'am is SO not a term of respect where I am from- it is the opposite!

That is so funny to me. Our kids are taught to say ma'am and sir out of respect. When my son visits my sister-in-law in MD it drives her nuts that he says it. She thinks he sounds brainwashed! I think my nieces and nephews sound impudent. Worse my youngest sister and I can hardly stand to eat put with them because they come across rude to us. If my kids answered a server with, "yeah", I'd have a stroke. Yes please, yes ma'am, yes thank you. Even the adults don't do it! My sister and I laugh because we find ourselves over compensating for them!

 

[Bluestars]

The only time it wouldn't bother me to be called sweetie, honey, or any other term like that is if it came out of the mouth of an elderly person. A coworker of mine uses those words when she speaks to people. It's very unprofessional. I think terms of endearment should not be used in the work place.

 

[Bluestars]

That is so funny to me. Our kids are taught to say ma'am and sir out of respect. When my son visits my sister-in-law in MD it drives her nuts that he says it. She thinks he sounds brainwashed! I think my nieces and nephews sound impudent. Worse my youngest sister and I can hardly stand to eat put with them because they come across rude to us. If my kids answered a server with, "yeah", I'd have a stroke. Yes please, yes ma'am, yes thank you. Even the adults don't do it! My sister and I laugh because we find ourselves over compensating for them!

My kids too. To me, yes ma'am is much more respectful than yeah.