What is your take on using terms of endearment with a stranger?

[Spookydood]

I've noticed i have a bit of a habit of using certain terms of endearment, mostly with women i don't know all that well. I usually use words like sweetheart or darlin' or even babe if I do know them somewhat. It's well received it seems to me any time I do it, but I am curious as to what you all think about it

Hey there, darlin!

I like it/it is endearing/it's obvious you're simply being friendly

I dislike it/you could be sending the wrong message/it is impolite.

Not sure/indifferent/other (please let me know with a comment!)

[FatherJack]

B , dislike it. I am more formal with strangers. I am introverted , plus live in the UK where it is not too common , so it is not my nature to do so. Plus there will be individuals that will take it offensively. Not bothered if a woman calls me " hun " or similar , but will not reply in kind

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

No big deal. I do it a lot.

[Spookydood]

Appreciate it my dude. 👍

[CurlyGirl42]

I don't really like it, one should get to know me before using such terms else it kinda means nothing and loses its 'endearment effect'.
Often I have said I don't want it when it was someone I actually want to get to know better, but so many do it that I mostly just ignore it by now.

[Nomina]

It differs by culture, I suppose. In mine, it's so common I'm indifferent to it. I use them just as I've had them used on me.

[pickedcrisps]

I chose dislike it because these days I feel I need to be careful like all mean. Some people are very sensitive to these things. So I don't like any risks and i just keep my language polite but very plain. ,😐

[Spookydood]

I get being hesitant, and even with the over-sensitized opinions a lot of people seem to voice nowadays, I think it's a worse idea to let people police your life for you. Playing it safe isn't a bad thing though.

[zaharuh]

I think it's okay, it used to bug me a little until I had a boss that would use all of those so I'm used to it now lol

[Spookydood]

I think it's usually well meaning for people who do it. But that's cool!

[DizzyDesii]

It can send the wrong message and make you look like an idiot. I would know

[Spookydood]

Oof, sounds like a bad experience. Did you say it or was someone talking to you?

[DizzyDesii]

[Spookydood]

If it's uncomfortable, no problemo. Just curious!

[LinaDaGoddess]

I don’t recommend it because there’s always going to be that one person who takes it up the ass… or in other words, they find it highly offensive or disrespectful… (the people who flatter themselves) lol

[Assi2k]

I call everyone honey, sweetheart, habibti/habibi, cuz I can.

[Shayedd]

Would you call your significant other by the same names?

[Spookydood]

What does habibi mean? This isn't the first time I've heard that

[Assi2k]

@Shayedd for the SO I get creative. I’ll do something with his name or just say baby and the usual Habibi

[Assi2k]

@spookydood. It mean “my love” in masculine. It’s Arabic but my language shares a lot of words with Arabic so it’s in my language too

[Spookydood]

@Assi2k that's adorable! You're cute.

[Assi2k]

Thanks hon ☺️💕

[rosemilk]

If it’s outside of a restaurant, it’s weird to me. I usually only get called that by waitresses

[Spookydood]

Only in restaraunts huh? I hadn't expected that, thanks!

[Ez-Bri-Z]

I have a super bad habit of using hun a lot with both male and female alike. Its easier to filter out in text for the most part but verbal communication it still sticks.

[FriendlyCanadianGuy]

When I was a waiter, many ladies would use words like Hun, or love.

From my experience, both words were used when these women were flirting/trying to take me home, or in a family setting meaningless.

[AviatorTom]

I don't but I know several women who do. If you ever go to a Waffle House, the women will usually call a man Honey or Dear, as in "What can I get for you, Dear?" For them, it's just being friendly.

[Wester1967]

Spanish speaking women call me amor and cariño all the all the time. It makes me think they’re desperate or something.

[t-8900]

I always say "Ma'am" or "Miss" unless i know them and i'm into them.

[Anonymous]

I said it could be impolite, but in reality it all depends on tone.

[IronsKev]

I do the same also often call guys I don't know mate

[Ninani]

I love that.

[Spookydood]

Awesome, i always found it charming. Probably why i picked it up at one point or another. Thank you darlin'!

[Avicenna]

Nah, I'd avoid doing that

[Spookydood]

Eh, not everybody does it here either.

[serious]

I think that is inappropriate to use them.

[Manchild2018]

That will creep them the fuck out.

[Jouth]

n-word