Terms of endearment (Full Version)

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Prairiehiker -> Terms of endearment (7/14/2008 10:22:36 PM)

Do you ever address your female friends as honey, or sweetie, or baby? Is this meant to be condescending? That's how I feel whenever a male friend, older, or younger addresses me this way.



McFatty -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 1:58:53 AM)

I only know a few people who truly mean to be condescending, and they just need a smack in the face to remind them about common courtesy from time to time.

No, "sweetie" means nothing more than "You seem like a sweet girl,". I don't know the endearment etymology for honey or baby, and I don't remember ever seriously saying those to anyone who wasn't a girlfriend. I usually, if the situation calls for an informal nickname, say "Hey, girl" or something like that. It would be like talking to a man and saying, "Hey dude" or something like that.

I don't worry about what others say so much, but I'm not really put in those situations either... anyhow, it's hard for me to completely empathize, but I don't believe it's intended to put you down in any way.

Basically, if it bothers you, ask them to stop. Most people will be reasonable.



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 3:58:53 AM)

I wouldn't call my female friends endearing words, such things are reserved for my girlfriend.

Unless "dude" counts as endearing.



McFatty -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 11:05:14 AM)

I used to call my girlfriend "dude" to mess with her. I don't know how endearing she found it, though. [:D]



APZR -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 12:08:42 PM)

If you are in the south, honey and sweetie are just a part of the culture and language.
Like: Ooooh, you've been out sick? Well bless your sole honey. If you need any fresh tomato soup, just c'mon over sweetie and pick some tomatoes out of the garden, we'll jes' cook up a batch.

However, baby indicates a much more intimate relationship... usually to younger family members, not general public.



DaveW -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 12:49:38 PM)

Only my wife gets enderment terms.

Why would anyone call a girl "dude?" Dudette or Dudess maybe. Not dude.



McFatty -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 12:51:19 PM)

It is more of a tease than anything. Like "nag" or "brat" or something. It wasn't a common thing, just something of a back and forth messing with each other thing.



Prairiehiker -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 1:43:48 PM)

We're actually up here, north, in Canada.

I often her younger people call each other dude, whether male or female. But not people our age (30s).

I guess whenever I hear the term sweetie, I think of those people back in the 50s when bosses call their secretaries sweeties. My friend calls me sweetie, it's usually when he fixed something for me, which made me think like I'm a little girl being patted on the head.

I guess it's not a big deal. Probably just me, and it's something I can overlook. Just wondering if it's normal, or if there's some perverse meaning to it.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: Terms of endearment (7/15/2008 4:10:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker

Do you ever address your female friends as honey, or sweetie, or baby? Is this meant to be condescending? That's how I feel whenever a male friend, older, or younger addresses me this way.

I don't. I save the honey's, sweetie's, or baby's for the girl I am dating. My friends I address with their name or nickname that is more appropriate for friendship. I wouldn't want to send mixed signals. You got that hon. Oops,jj.



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