My name isn't "dear", "dearie" or "hon"

[Leann]

I don't get rankled easily but lately I've noticed that young women have started calling me "dear", "dearie" or "hon". Case in point, I was paying for some groceries last week and as the cashier was giving me my change, she said "thanks, dear". Later the same day I had a similar instance where another person called me "hon". I realize I'm not a young chick but I must be an old hen to these younger people. I don't mind if someone calls me "ma'am" but the other names ... no. It sounds insulting to me.

Have you encountered anything similar?

 

[Jeni]

I disliked being called Ma'am as people did it when i was younger and i found insulting.....
now when i go places i get several have been called " Miss"
I had a few "HON" or" dear" but usually from men not clerks etc.

 

[Myrtle]

I think they usually mean well and in this day of not enough employees and poor customer service I'm just happy that they aren't ignoring me.

 

[Jules]

It really sizzles me when I’m called dearie, or sweetie or love or any of those overly gushy terms.

 

[HoneyNut]

I've noticed that young women have started calling me "dear", "dearie" or "hon".

I think I might have been called 'hon' but there has not yet been a noticeable increase for me. I'm sure those terms are meant as extra respect for elderly, but I understand it is a bit of a shock to find oneself in that category.

Last year I had a couple experiences of CHILDREN helping me by opening doors and such (in one case running over to my car to help me lift some bags of books), and it was quite a shock to find that I appear to children to be an old person.

 

[hearlady]

I don't get rankled easily but lately I've noticed that young women have started calling me "dear", "dearie" or "hon". Case in point, I was paying for some groceries last week and as the cashier was giving me my change, she said "thanks, dear". Later the same day I had a similar instance where another person called me "hon". I realize I'm not a young chick but I must be an old hen to these younger people. I don't mind if someone calls me "ma'am" but the other names ... no. It sounds insulting to me.

Have you encountered anything similar?

I think they're just trying to be nice.

 

[CallMeKate]

I've always gotten "hon" and "ma'am" at any age. "Dear" doesn't bother me. The one I don't like is "sweetie." Always sounds condescending to me. (But there are ways to tell if it's condescending or not by the tone of the voice like with everything else.)

 

[Murrmurr]

I don't get rankled easily but lately I've noticed that young women have started calling me "dear", "dearie" or "hon". Case in point, I was paying for some groceries last week and as the cashier was giving me my change, she said "thanks, dear". Later the same day I had a similar instance where another person called me "hon". I realize I'm not a young chick but I must be an old hen to these younger people. I don't mind if someone calls me "ma'am" but the other names ... no. It sounds insulting to me.

Have you encountered anything similar?

When someone does that, just say "It's Leann," and smile. They probly don't mean to be rude, they're just not sure how to address you.

 

[Tish]

We have a menu log driver that drives me nuts, he keeps calling me Boss.

 

[chic]

A ninety something neighbor calls me "love" and I think it's the cutest thing.

 

[Avon]

I get the feeling that some people would complain regardless of what people called them.

 

[Mizmo]

Doesn't really matter to me.
These words are not impolite . It is just their way of being respectful to the elderly.
I heard myself being referred to as ' that old dear in apt # who looks just great for her age.'
Gave me a chuckle.

 

[palides2021]

A ninety something neighbor calls me "love" and I think it's the cutest thing.

View attachment 299438

Years ago, while visiting family in Australia, that was a term everyone used. It took me awhile to get used to.

 

[palides2021]

I've started calling people "dear" lately. I don't know why, but it seems to soften them up when I do it (particularly clerks on the phone). When I'm at the grocery store or face-to-face and say it, I usually smile and they smile back. It's an endearing term.

 

[papa tiger]

Young hotties call me Huny all the time.
Most old south young use nice words when they speak to us. Its all ok. don't worry unless they want to borrow $$$'s

 

[helenbacque]

Any are fine with me. All better than “Hey, you.” Electronics are making youngns all forget how to make polite small talk.

 

[Georgiagranny]

Meh. I don't like "dearie" but the others? Who cares? I live in the South where everybody, young and old, is called "honey" or "dear" or "sweetie" or "sweetheart." Better than being called whatever name happens to suit a Karen or a Kevin at any given moment!

 

[Leann]

I get the feeling that some people would complain regardless of what people called them.

By "some people" are you referring to me?

 

[Leann]

Maybe it's that I appear older on the outside than I feel on the inside so that's why I take umbrage with it.

 

[MissRJ]

I don't get rankled easily but lately I've noticed that young women have started calling me "dear", "dearie" or "hon". Case in point, I was paying for some groceries last week and as the cashier was giving me my change, she said "thanks, dear". Later the same day I had a similar instance where another person called me "hon". I realize I'm not a young chick but I must be an old hen to these younger people. I don't mind if someone calls me "ma'am" but the other names ... no. It sounds insulting to me.

Have you encountered anything similar?

I do not know if those terms of endearment are referring to old age or age.
I have not been called dearie.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Weird. I ordered something online and emailed the owner a few times. She called me "HUN" TWICE! It was shocking. I hadn't heard/read that word for 100 years. I really have no idea where she is coming from. It felt like endearment...not patronizing in any way. If she keeps doing it I will start calling her "Shnookums".

 

[jimintoronto]

I spent about 4 months in 3 different Toronto hospitals this year, from March to June. Without FAIL, everyone of the more than 120 nurses I dealt with called me MISTER followed by ( My Family Name ). Training and professional manners are not dead, at least here. JImB.

 

[horseless carriage]

I think they're just trying to be nice.

When a work colleague called my wife darling she gave him both barrels. "Don't you dare call me darling, I have a darling, I married him. If you can't call me by my name, keep your mouth shut!" He didn't like it, thought she was being snooty, but he never called her by any term of endearment again.

 

[Ronni]

I have no problem with being called by any endearment because I use them lavishly myself.

My most favorite is “Hey Beautiful!” Beautiful I am not, but it brought a smile to my face nonetheless.

 

[gruntlabor]

I think they usually mean well and in this day of not enough employees and poor customer service I'm just happy that they aren't ignoring me.

While wintering in Florida, staying in motels. I was called 'Grandma' by all the help. They were all spanish-speaking people and did not realize that their word may have been offensive to some, as in calling me old and/or using endearments with a stranger. But in their culture I am sure I was being honored, which made it AOK with me.