Yeah, I know how that is. I look older than I am too, and I still get it.

Hi mica, I was raised by the sweetest mom in the world, and I remembered how she always referred to my friends as "honey" or "sweetie" and they loved her kindness, as many of them did not get that at their own homes. Love goes a long way.

For me? and this is just my personal opinion, I like the sweetness, and I think we need more of it in this world. There is so much hatred and so many mean people, that is someone has a little "honey" pouring from their hearts? Well can we really have too much love?

For someone it bothers, I think they can nicely request that someone does not do that anymore. And regarding a nursing home, I guess staff meetings could address that. I hope if I am old and in a home, that someone will call me honey. OR maybe "honey bunny" :)

Now, remember, this is just personally what works for me, and I respect what works for others as well.

Someone came to the house last week to check the satellite dish. They kept referring to me as boss, even though they had my name on their work order. I hate that expression.

Whatever happened to sir or ma'am. Thank god I raised my kids better than that.

Ouch

OMG, I am so guilty of this practice it is unreal, and I have never thought of anyone being offended, which some people obviously are. I recently have made new friends with a young member here on DS, and he even calls me sweetheart and I just love it! I have only been able to think of one possibility for the opposit reactions. Since you are in a loving, commited relationship with Pink, you probably view these words on a more "intimate" level. Whereas I, not in any relationship, view them more as simple terms of endearment. Do you think it's a possibility?

I'm from the South, and we just consider that a term of endearment. It's not meant to be disrespectful. This is just a small thing. My sons' friends call me Miss Dee and that's considered respectful too. They're adults and so am I. I think sometimes, it's just cultural.

The only times I've ever been called honey was when I was a young lady in the south. Everyone there called me honey or sweetie. I think if people were to do it now, I would be offended by it. I would definitely prefer ma'am. I have taught my children to address people as sir or ma'am.

I guess we have several different opinions. Where you come from does make a difference now I think about it. I don't mind if someone older than myself address me in this way it's just when a 18 or 20 year old young waitress or salesclerk does this to me it rubs me the wrong way. I guess I am Old School and was taught by my parents to respect my elders. To me calling an elder person who has lived a full life, worked hard, raised a family and have many more life experiences than I calling them Sweety is just so wrong. I also called my kids friends who I watched and help grow up by these terms of endearment. This in my mind was considered respectful. Different opinions are what make life interesting and challenge us. I love reading how culture and the area you live make us each one have so many different ideals and observations.

When I was called sir for the first time, I said OMG I am getting old. Now that people call you dear, hon, boss, whatever I would love to hear the word sir again.

Ouch

Being from the Northeast, I think all those words would be very nice to hear coming out of young peoples mouths.Compared to some I have heard.I always called my childrens friends by their first names until we were very comfortable with each other and then it was sweetie,or dear. Most of my kids friends called me Mom and still do. My kids were taught to address adults as Mr or Mrs,or Ms, So& So unless told differently.They still treat adults that way. I personally do not like the Ma'am thing,never did.It makes me feel old even when I was like 30,but its true it really depends on where you are from. I do notice when I am down south, they are much freer with the sweetie,honey and I do enjoy it as it is sincere.That to me is what matters the most. The intent.
Deb

yes the lack of respect bugs me also....we live to be a certain age and deserve the respect as long as we are giving respect also and not being crotchty LOL ok I am babling sorry....yes we desreve respect ....
Morgaine

In the south, everyone is honey, sweety, whatever. I don't mind, I kinda even like it.

Im from Scotland and we dont really seem to have this problem. At least not with ''sweetie'' or ''honey''. I was not raised to say Sir or Ma'am ...i guess thats an American thing. That does not mean that i am dissrespectful. As for being called sweetie or honey myself, i dont mind, i come from a family who does not show affection or say i love you ...

I like it when people say those words to me, it reminds me that not everyone is like my family. I, like Dale view them simpley as terms of endearment & i wish that people would use them more often.

I can think of worse thing to be called. If they are calling you sweetie or honey with a smile on their face, because they want too, whilst they serve you, isnt that better than a dour face calling you Ma'am, just because they have too?

Mica, I agree with you. I hate it when people do that to me. I get especially irritated when waitresses do it to me. I know they don't mean any thing by it. I prefer "sir."

Hey there. When my ex and our family, and great friends moved to the St Louis area at the same time , 20 yrs ago,, my gal friend and I were simply amazed at everybody calling us "hon, or sweetie". WE would giggle and mock them, we were not used to being called these "names". We were from a pretty conservative part of northern Illinois,and this was pretty much unheard of. But it never offended us! Eventually we started doing the same thing to EVERYBODY, so now we feel we are true Missourians, at least in St Louis. I can rememer the first time I was called "Maam", and felt sooo old! I do agree withyou when adressing patients those folks need to be called by their proper names, or at least ask wht they want to be called. I am sure I will want to be called by my first name when I find myself in a nursing home. Everybody has a personal choice as to how they want to be addressed. Love ya!!

I once worked in a nursing home and believe me I also heard it all the time. I found it very unpleasing too. I tried to have as many manners as I could have. I had one lady tell me that it was ok to call her hunny everyone else does. I said it once and didn't like it. I felt that even though she gave me permission like a nickname it didn't feel respectful. If I couldn't remember their name because they were new I would say mam or sir. I have been call it too and I know how it feels. Do unto others as they do unto you I say.