Sweetie, dear, hon, love

[CorporalCaptain]

If you *aren't* called "sweetie" or "baby" or similar by a truck stop or 24 hr breakfast joint waitress, she's either new in her job or you've probably rubbed her the wrong way.

Yeah, I'm familiar with that stereotype.

 

[Timewalker]

When I was in the UK years ago I noted that an entire generation seemed to address absolutely everyone as Love.

So it varies wildly between countries how it's taken and given.

That would drive me up the wall.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

You don't notice it after half a day at the shops.

 

[Mr Soak]

This thread is reminding me of Madga Szubanski's chain smoking character from Fast Forward.

"I said 'love', I said 'pet', I said 'pet', I said 'love'..."

 

[cultcross]

When I was in the UK years ago I noted that an entire generation seemed to address absolutely everyone as Love.

So it varies wildly between countries how it's taken and given.

There are regional variations but you're not far wrong. The practice is very common among older people in the UK. Each region has its enduring term of endearment for strangers, be it 'duck', 'pet', 'darling', 'dear', 'mucker', 'lamb', 'luvver', or 'chuck'.

 

[Amaris]

I use sweetheart, and honey, with friends.

 

[ITL]

There are regional variations but you're not far wrong. The practice is very common among older people in the UK. Each region has its enduring term of endearment for strangers, be it 'duck', 'pet', 'darling', 'dear', 'mucker', 'lamb', 'luvver', or 'chuck'.

Here in my corner of the north, "love" or "darling" is a social lubricant that just happens. For example, women who work in shops here call everyone "love" or "darling". Which is not to say that the patronizing, mansplainy "Now look here, love..." attitudes that some men have isn't still a thing, because it definitely is. But, you know, context.

 

[Relayer1]

There are regional variations but you're not far wrong. The practice is very common among older people in the UK. Each region has its enduring term of endearment for strangers, be it 'duck', 'pet', 'darling', 'dear', 'mucker', 'lamb', 'luvver', or 'chuck'.

Any of them would drive me mad if I was regularly exposed to them.

 

[Australis]

I've had all those over the years, usually from older women, still common enough in Australia, though fading. A few particular women just use it as punctuation, it's barely even personal.

 

[Relayer1]

This has triggered memories of being referred to as 'Me 'Ansom' in parts of Cornwall years ago, often for effect, generally as habit.

Seems to have died out now.

 

[Relayer1]

This has triggered memories of being referred to as 'Me 'Ansom' in parts of Cornwall years ago, often for effect, generally as habit.

Seems to have died out now.

 

[DimesDan]

There are regional variations but you're not far wrong. The practice is very common among older people in the UK. Each region has its enduring term of endearment for strangers, be it 'duck', 'pet', 'darling', 'dear', 'mucker', 'lamb', 'luvver', or 'chuck'.

When I was studying at Staffordshire, many a person would call me "Duck," I would often quack in response.

 

[stardream]

There is an English lady who works at the gift shop at the locale hospital. Nearly every other word out of her mouth is 'love'. "They're right over there, love.' 'Do you need anything else, love?'

 

[Nyotarules]

Question for the women here, though it might apply to some men as well.

What is your reaction if a stranger in real life or online calls you 'sweetie', 'dear' etc? Does the age or sex of the speaker make a difference to the way you feel?

If they are using such words then I assume they are not talking to me. Age is no excuse for not asking me my name.

 

[Doom Shepherd]

Assuming I was in the US, I would look at them funny.
Assuming I were in the UK, I would probably take it for granted, as it's pretty much a trope.
I don't use such terms of endearment myself, and I'm glad it's not a cultural thing here because I'm crap at social "niceties" on the best of days. I'd probably end up sticking on a pejorative instead: "Room 110 is down the hall, dumbass, third door on the left"

 

[Bagofmostlywatr]

My mates wife always used to use "hon", then stopped overnight after using it to a German. Didn't go down well, even when she explained it was hon with an O, not a U.

 

[Timby]

Not even in Baltimore (where everybody supposedly calls everybody else "hon").

There's, like, one small section of southeast Baltimore where "hon" is a thing.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

There's, like, one small section of southeast Baltimore where "hon" is a thing.

Nope, it's more widespread than that. But it does tend to be mostly white, working class, Baltimore natives.

 

[Paradise City]

Oh I get this all the time. I just attribute it to the fact that I am lovely.

If someone tells you the truth, you just gotta roll with it. That's my philosophy.

 

[Timby]

Nope, it's more widespread than that. But it does tend to be mostly white, working class, Baltimore natives.

Yeah, I suppose it does travel a bit down Eastern Avenue. I lived in Highlandtown, where "hon" was absolutely a thing, but in Fells or downtown? Never heard it once.

Edit: Admittedly, I never spent much time in Fed Hill or Locust Point.