Is it casual or affectionate when a man calls a woman “Love”?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Okay, there are two guys I like, for the purpose of this question, I will specify that both are American, not British, as I’ve heard in Britain they call everyone “Love”.

1. 1st guy I am seeing has called me “Baby”, but we are seeing casually and my mind is mainly preoccupied with the 2nd guy who I have a better of an emotional connection with.

2. 2nd Guy throughout the 5 months of our communication, has often expressed his clear attraction, affection and fondness to me, which is far beyond mere friendship, he has on a few occasions called me “Love”

“Sweet Dreams, Love”

”Have a good day at work, Love”

“Of course, Love”

and so on.

I wonder if these pet names mean anything or not.

For Geographical purposes and English usage purposes, 1st guy is from Southern State of the US and the 2nd guy is from California. Do those states use pet names casually?

[DJB72]

I've called my wife "Babe" for over 20 years. She's the only person I've ever called that. It scared the bejeesus out of her when I used her name rather than her pet name a few weeks ago!

I don't know about the areas of the US for personal pet names, just "Sugar" in the Southern States.

England's South West is full of folks who call everyone "Moy Luvver" and the North East "Chuck". Colloquial use can vary from village to village over as little as 20-30 miles with the terms being a complement in one to an insult in the next because of the use in the other.

Despite being a Westcountry lad I was referred to as a "Grockel" or a "Blow-in" when I moved to Devon from outside, and after 14 years in South Africa when we moved to Somerset I was a "Foreigner" - which was doubly ironic given how many Polish people were living there!

I'd imagine it's the same in parts of the USA, but the less frequent it's used early in a relationship, the more affectionate it's likely to be rather than a colloquialism.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

It was first used by him on Valentine’s, 1.5 months after knowing each other.

[NathanDavis]

the fewer he does it... the more meaningful or significant for him, those are the chances...

seems like he does it when the mood and the closeness is more present... "sweet dreams" and "have a good day at work" sounds also like morning and night time... first and last moments of everyone's day... those tend to be significant and more intimate ones

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

He does it few times.

[NathanDavis]

to me, that's better than just doing it every time

[DishLady]

Both… or at least it can be. But also there’s one fellow at work who calls *everyone* Love (partly cultural, partly gender-orientation), particularly when delivering humorous critique. So basically you have to know the guy speaking to know what he’s saying.

[WintersDaughter]

That's pretty intimate.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Am I supposed to call anything back?

[WintersDaughter]

You don't have to. If you want to, go for it, but don't feel pressured.

I normally call people love, sweetheart, babe, or a variation of their name. But if you don't feel confident doing that, you don't have to

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

You call everyone those names or just your intimate partner?

[WintersDaughter]

My female friends who I'm very close with and my partner. "Love" is just for my partner, I have a habit of calling every female I know pet names though, no one of the opposite gender tho

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Oh okay ^_^ I was thinking If it’s something a man would call everyone or not. Pretty much answers my question, thanks girl 🌸

[spartan55]

For me it just further validates that I'm speaking with a Euro. Doesn't ring on my importance scale.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

What Euro?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Don’t understand at all

[spartan55]

Sorry, it's a common term in the hockey community for any person from Europe. It's not real specific. For example, I know Georgia isn't technically considered Europe (is it?), but I consider you a Euro. It's nothing derogatory. I will say I have NEVER heard any dude here in America use 'love' in the context you are hearing used (towards you) He would get some weird looks for sure.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Got you.

Thanks, I consider myself Euro too 😝

So, that was what I was asking, what context is he exactly using it, we flirt a lot, we have also told each other we are attracted to each other and we talk often, so I was wondering if being called “Love” is affectionate and flirty, or is that something he’d call any girl?

The first time he called me that it was over one month of communicating on a Valentine’s Day,

[spartan55]

He might, might not. I would never say that personally to a woman because I think it's cheesy and I would be saying "did you really just say that" laughing to myself. I would not put this whole thing very high in your list of importance with these two suitors. I've known many guys who say shit like this to women and it's just a form of cheap flattery.

[TommyMountainFigure]

Americans copy us, just like we copy Americans.. It's entirely possible they could be using the term in the same we we do!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Although for the record, being a Cockney from London, I generally use the term Darlin' or
Sweet'art (leavin' out the H)

[justabuddy]

Can't say as I've heard it a lot... but everyone is different. And people will tell you what you want to hear.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Fair enough.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

He has also told me “I am attracted to you” and I’ve told him “I am attracted to you too”.

[cdveronica]

if it's casual it might be easier then remembering your name because you're not the only one they are seeing or talking to regardless of what they tel;l you

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

He knows my name lol

[handsomelad70]

It's British endearment, I think. (What about calling your chick "Blossom" if she's chesty?)

[Pete671]

In north of UK love is quite common, in the south it can be considered rude,,,

[RedInnocent69]

Could be either, but most likely very friendly casual.