I get that a lot from customers. Sometimes, its ok, but a lot of times, I'm like wtf, can't you see what I am? 

I used to revel in it, but after a while, it gets old.  I mean, I have a name and its right there on the silly little name tag I wear.

Depends from people close to me its ok, but from strangers and customers (phone customer service here) i find it extremely demeaning.
So friends  and strangers 

Dear, Honey, babe, sweetheart, darhling,      I love them all.... I a such a hooo    LOL

It depends on the intent of the person calling me that.

That's funny. I feel the same way. It's kind of the way they say the word I guess. I think most women say it as a compliment like saying thanks sweetie or honey. When they do I always reply with thank you so much if I think they were sincere.   

I *hate* it. But I'm in New England, where that sort of thing is not standard. It usually seems patronizing/demeaning to me. (I don't mind little old ladies, though. They're just cute about it.)

I have mixed feelings about it. I suppose it depends on my mood at the time. But whether it irks me or if I'm flattered by it, it always catches me off guard. Still getting used to it. Like on Monday, I saw my landlord/housemate after he had been gone all weekend. He was in a good mood and gave me a lil hug and kiss on the cheek as he greeted me. Stuff like that still surprises me, big time. A lot to adjust to when it comes to social interactions...

I will say though, there are a lot of times where it really does irk me... Like wtf? I don't know you, why are you calling me one of your lil pet names? It can be rather demeaning.. >_>

Doesn't matter much to me....as long as you don't call me dude or late for dinner lol. I think really the only thing I hate being called is lil momma by the occasional random guy on Facebook thinking he can get in my pants.

Maybe its a southern thing, but many people use those here.. The drive thru lady at burger king, dept store sales people, its everywhere here. My SO is a nurse, and they all talk like that at the hospital to the patients.. Ive never heard of anyone complaining..?

I personally love it, it just starts off any conversation in a warm friendly way..

Definitely a Southern thing. I have never really heard it in NJ but I got it all the time in TN, SC and even TX.

I got called dear by a  pan handler the other day, kind of weird.

dear impersonally and darling personally are o.k. but everything else makes my skin crawl.

I generally don't mind, basically because it's normally older women who use these terms on me. When it comes from a male, as unfair as this is, I find it more bothersome. I feel like they are just patting me on the head and treating me like a child. Sometimes when random people do it I'm all ... huh? okay. It's kinda sweet I guess. Maybe not babe... but the rest are fine

I would like to preface this with two things. One, I have the good fortune to never be misgendered. Two, I think this is a common thing in the midwest and southern states. It still however, gives me pause when women of all ages say "have a good day babe!" or something like it. I could be buying alcohol and still get it, so it's not like they're saying it to a child.

Oh, speaking of geographical quirks, there also seems to be a lot more sir'ring and ma'aming out here. If I go into a major city, I'm lucky if the cashier even says hi.

I love it

It might be the punk in me, but I hate being called literally any of those. My gf can get away with it, but strangers? No.

It's been happening more often lately.  Most of the time it's other women being polite/complimentary as it's the standard thing to do.  Occasionally it's someone speaking in a demeaning way, whether intentionally or not.  That always catches me off guard.

It annoys me, because I don't like being demeaned or dismissed.  But I also take some solace in the fact that that is the exact same reaction most women have to this situation, so I'm normal in my annoyance.  Yay! 

Overall, I consider it a positive result with some slight drawbacks.

I honestly love it!! It puts a huge smile on my face since it often comes from gals, sometimes guys too. I start blushing over lil things.

Quote from: peky on September 17, 2014, 07:17:59 PM
Dear, Honey, babe, sweetheart, darhling,      I love them all.... I a such a hooo    LOL

Same here. I just love it! 

I'm still struggling with a majority of 'sirs', but fur shore!! I would love to be called any of those.. I don't care for 'dear' or 'darling' too much though...