I get this, ALL THE TIME.
It absolutely creeps me out when an old man calls me pet names, not so much "darl" but if they call me baby, or babe, or SUGAR PIE then proceed to wink at me... Its just like, really? Were those winks so you could take memory shots for your imaginary wank bank.
And I hate when my older male customers say to me "hope your sexy face is here next time I come in" finished with a lick of the lips and wink. You may be 80, IT STILL DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT!
I also find it disrespectful when you hear girls aged 16-20's calling an older lady, 30's- and on
"babe" "hun" "darl". I just think you shouldn't be calling a lady with twice your age something that isn't her name or surname (just my opinion) and its degrading to be called babe and sweetie from anyone significantly younger then you.
Also guys who think their top stuff and are hot as F You C K and talk to you and call you all the pet names when you're serving them, its like shut the hell up? You're actually embarrassing yourself.
Everyone should just save the pet names for your - Partner, friends, family (if that's what you do) NOT for strangers.
It doesn't happen much from just basic interaction with most people. Sometimes it's just a way a person talks, like one of my coworkers. He calls almost every woman "dear." He doesn't mean anything by it, it's just being friendly.
Arguably, a person can tell when there's something more behind a random person using a pet name. That gross feeling when someone you've never met is calling you "sweetie" and being a little too nice... I terminate those interactions as fast as possible.
The third thing this brought to mind is the matter of hooking up. If he's flavor of the week or my one night stand, I absolutely am not his baby, and I won't tolerate being called "babe" or "baby" continuously. Other words inspire less anger, but I'd rather be called by another woman's name than hear either of those.
I have never liked being called those surnames/petnames, no matter how old I was. The earliest occurrence I can recall is when I was in grade school and a teacher called these names to me. Things did not go down so nicely. Fast forward to today, I still haven't gotten use to it and when I'm at work, despite wearing a name tag, I still get called these things and for me, it feels extremely demeaning, belittling and I get creeped out by it. I have learned that older gentlemen and older women are stuck in their ways and most often do not mean anything by it (even though I find it degrading).
A girl blew up at me because she THOUGHT I called her sweetie, which I find disgusting she would completely freak out about that and then publicly embarrass me. I get called sweetie and hon by waitresses, and it's never made me want to completely flip out and start screaming at them, or even snap "I'm not your sweetie." It doesn't really bother me. I take it as a thing they do, maybe for extra tips (sounds nicer and more flirty, he may tip better!), or that girls sometimes do this anyway. I don't take it as them wanting me, or trying to get me to cheat (if I have a girlfriend), though I might occasionally joke to male friends that they do. I take it as a generic nickname that they probably call other customers (male or female).
I have pet names for a few close female friends. But there are certain ones I will always reserve for girlfriends.
I'm fine with being called "sweetie" - it's usually by an older woman who's just being nice. I've never been called "babe", "baby", or "honey", though. Maybe you're just particularly attractive to the ladies haha? In any case I might be a bit flattered but I'd also be a bit creeped out. In the end I'd try to stay away from them but I'd go away feeling flattered, I guess.
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Just depends honestly. If a guy calls me "babe" or "baby" I think he just wants to get it in and I'm not a fan of those names. Guy I am talking to calls me "darling" and I find it cute. On a side note, does anyone else feel old when someone calls them ma'am? (If you're a female obviously).
It depends... Professionally, no. If I'm on the job and someone refers to me as hun or honey, babe... I think that isn't professional. But sometimes older women that work for my customers call me hun or something along those lines I don't worry about it. I hate it when a man calls me Jr. or sonny or kid... I'm in my late 20's and served in the Marines for 8 years, if I don't get respect I take it.
i am a culprit of this myself. if I don't know someones name I will call them "dear" or "darlin" or "good lookin" not to hit on them just to be friendly/polite.
i have a male co-worker that calls every woman "good looking" or "baby"
to me its just normal.
I don't mind it. I've started doing it myself at work. But I'm a bartender. I do it to girls and guys alike and I'm careful not to say 'babe' or 'baby', those are reserved for my friends and loved ones. (Girlfriends included, "Oh babe. I'm so sorry that happened.")
I stick to 'hun', 'honey', 'darlin', and 'sweetie'.
But I AM a southern Texas girl. It's pretty normal here.
I used to work in retail and I found that the other salesperson who get many customer say "what can I get for you hon(ey)? or you are set hon(ey)."
After a while, I started to say that and I found that when I normal with people, I still say "hon(ey)" and some people find it "scandalous" while other are happy I said something affection.
Depends on thei intent. I hate it from women cbecause it seems demeaning in a "I think I'm more experienced or better" type of way and sounds rude and can be seen as bitchy. When a guy says it I hate that unless I know him and his habits otherwise it seems demeaning.
Im fine if its my friends/fam in the UK because it's different and some are just cultural habits but generally its 50/50 :)
some people might use it as a form of hitting on you oooo
I don't mind it, but if it is someone I am seeing and not quite dating it can be kind of awkward. I don't like pet names early on because I feel as though he could call anyone his babe or honey. I rather it were more personal and meaningful. However, if it is a stranger such as a customer service representative just being friendly, then by all means do it! Something about calling someone a cute name is an nice gesture.
My mom is guilty of this. I remember going to grocery store and she would call the guys there hun or sweetie, she does this intentionally and I remember thinking that it was weird that she called strangers. But now its not a big thing to me, and it wouldn't upset me.
It's just their way of complimenting you without being too lewd. They are just telling you they think you are cute. They feel like they can do it innocently because they are older. It could be slightly scandalous from some of them, but most of them are probably just complimenting you.
Not upset but uncomortable. And sometimes I get hun.I don't like to be called babe/baby or shorty. Honey,hun or sweetie is toleratable but I usually don't get called that in real life maybe beautiful or sweetie. Older people just talk like that I guess.
I don't walk though but strangers in the street might say hi or ask for help/directions.Nowadays I get called mam th ough its kind of strange to me since I'm in high school.
It's one of my biggest pet peeves when guys I barely know call me babe/honey/sweetie. I don't mind if it's elderly people calling me honey or sweetie (although it would be creepy if they call me babe or baby), but it bothers me a lot when guys I don't know/barely know call me by those names
I do get disturbed. I'm not big on pet names from my boyfriend, so why would I be okay with it when they're strangers?
When I was young, one of the teachers at my school would always address me as cutie or sweetie, and I flat out confronted her about it and told her she was not allowed to call me those names. She was very surprised, but never did again :)
I get hun, baby & MISSY! LOL! But what really rattles me is sweetie I don't know why. I guess I've never liked it. But one thing I don't like the waiter called me today was Ma'am don't call me that until I'm married.
Sounds a bit creepy if it's older women saying "babe" and "baby" to you.
Just like guys in class saying stuff like that at us girls. I would see it as a sort of bullying in that case. But in your case I think they're just trying to be nice.
Yes, I hate it. It's condescending and too familiar. What, do you think I'm going to be flattered that you're using a familiar term with me? Do you think that's going to win me over? No. Treat me with respect, like an adult, and I'll be flattered.
I really, really don't like those surnames... I wouldn't like anyone calling me this way.
The way you described it, my guess would be that some of them are well on their way to being cougars :P I'd be pretty surprised too !
Yes. Just roll with it dude. It's better than not getting any attention at all... Not to say I'm into older women or anything, but it's just the way the world works, don't let it get to you, I guarentee you 99% of those women mean no foul.
- soaren
i got a name so if someone don't know me shouldn't they approach more polite? to me those words are just for picking up girls in the clubs so NO I don't like it at all.
No. It's pretty meaningless. I'm not that egotistical to think any person who says such a thing necessarily wants to have sex with me :) It's called being warm.
Down here, it would be "my lover" (spelled l-u-v-v-e-r), which I agree does sound a little strange coming from a middle-aged woman whom you've never previously met.
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