southwestforests wrote:
Wonder how much of it might be an age and/or cultural or regional thing?
Exactly what I was thinking - I know in Eastern Canada these little terms of endearment are common. I usually know when someone is from Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, etc., when I get called honey, sweetie, sweetheart, dear, etc. I have had younger than me clerks call me sweetie and guessed rightly that they were from the East Coast. It is not said in a manner that would indicate condescension, they said it like anyone would say "miss" or "madame" - I actually like any of the above to "madame", I have to say.
I had one history teacher who used to call me "dearheart" - he said it in the sweetest British accent, and it just always made me feel extremely happy. Just a couple of days ago, one of my bosses called me "sweetie" (although he probably shouldn't do that, given what that could have been taken as, but it was sweet the way he said it) - both men said these little pet names as they might speak to their grandchild, and again, it just made me grin happily.
I have, on the other hand, had people call me "sweetie" and I wanted to belt them right in the mouth for it, because of how they said it. I also got into trouble once calling someone "lovey" at work. Granted, what I really wanted to call her - "controlling bit*ch queen" - I managed to stop myself from saying in time, but the appellation was said in the same angry tone so it came out the same. Don't ask me why I went with "lovey", though, LOL! Just one of those odd words jumping into the gap, I suppose...
A funny side note - my parents toyed with the thought of calling me "Honey". Now, that would have set up some comedy in my life, for sure...
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People think there are four elements to the world; fire, wind, water and earth. They are wrong. There is a 5th element - surprise. - paraphrasing of Terry Pratchett "The Truth"