weird one here....

[Kristal53]

ok this bugged me this afternoon i was talking to customer services on line and the woman ( english) kept calling me 'petal'. I really don't know why but this offended me -then straightaway I felt ridiculously pompous for feeling offended - but I did - I've been called 'flower' 'doll' 'pet' and 'darling' with no adverse effect - just 'petal' really got to me -how weird is that ? - oh and are there any names ( not rude ones) that really 'get' you?

[Buenchico]

For me, it depends upon the circumstances. For example, if someone bumps into me in a pub and says "Sorry, mate", I appreciate his apology and I'm not in the least bothered that a total stranger has addressed me as 'mate'. But if I'm talking to someone in a customer service role (e.g. a hotel receptionist), who greets me with "Yes, mate?" I want to strangle his employer (not him) for failing to provide the employee with proper training.

Sometimes, of course, the use of 'pet' names can be a local thing. When I lived in Sheffield, both male and female bus drivers would address all of their customers (of either gender) as 'luv'. People who lived in Sheffield thought nothing of it but I've known plenty of visiting men to be 'put out' by another man addressing them in that way.

Me? I tend to address people whom I bump into (for example) as 'guv' or (more usually) 'squire' if they're male. (e.g. "Oops, sorry squire. I didn't see you there"). If they're female I'll call them 'love'. (However when I'm interviewing members of the public I'll always stick to 'sir' and 'madam').

[237SJ]

Don`t feel offended. A customer services person calling you by pet names is terribly unprofessional. I`m not offended by being called Love, Darling etc normally but I can`t stand being called Doll. Strangely, I`ve only ever been called that by gay men though.

[Prudie]

Other females who call me 'mate' absolutely grates on me, hate it. My boss often calls me wench or filly but I find that endearing!

[sherrardk]

There are a number of people around here who call me and others 'Hun', it irritates me slightly as these are people who know my name.

[katdarn79]

Buenchico, im from Barnsley and dont mind been called luv at all as long as there older than me. Dont know why though!

[weecalf]

People have caalled me tanner and my name is not even bob

[Buenchico]

Kat:
I actually lived in Ecclesfield (and caught the 265 bus to Barnsley as often as I did to Sheffield), so I'm no stranger to the (wonderful) local dialect around that area ;-)

[tenrec]

It does depend who says it.

[Buenchico]

Weecalf:
Wouldn't they need two of you to make one Bob then?

[askyourgran]

Petal is annoying, I haven't heard that for years. I used to hate being called 'duck'. Where I worked I had telephone contact with a lot of people from the Sheffied/Rotherham area, everyone was called 'duck'. But coming from West Yorkshire we call people 'Love' quite a lot, and I'm guilty of that at times. Nowadays I'm called 'sweetheart' (being old I suppose), a bit condescending I think.

[FredPuli43]

Don't mind any pet or familiar address used by anyone according to custom.

What I hate is salesmen who address me straightway as' Fred' . I'm their potential customer, not their friend or relation! If they're lucky , I'll be paying their wages, through a sale, not going on holiday with them (and how unlucky they'd be then!).

I have noticed I am now old enough to be called 'young man' by Londoners. Last time I was called 'young man' was when I was not yet a grown man. The oddities of usage!

[ladybirder]

Agree about the 'hun' sher, it grates even though it hasn't been addressed to me. We can see each others names so use them.

[weecalf]

Tis true what you say Buenchico the cheek of it .Elsie aye but Bob

[joko]

round here people call others, including girls - lid and lad

[Kristal53]

Hun really grates though does'nt offend - and another female calling me 'mate' does aswell - seems very strange but then I'm getting old and grumpy. Got called 'babe' by an old (male) schoolfriend not long ago and did't like the conotations of that one - oh now i sound like a grumpy old codger...lol! Must admit it does matter who is saying it. On the other side - I lived in north America for 10 years and absolutely LOVE being called ma-am!

[murraymints]

Babe...BABE IS A PIG !!!!!

[mrs_overall]

I was in intensive care in hospital last year. I had tubes coming out of every orifice, looked like death warmed up and my hair was a rats nest. The nurse didn't use my name once and kept addressing me as "gorgeous." If I'd had the strength, I would have given her a piece of my mind for being so bloody patronising.

[EvianBaby]

I'm not offended by any of them but people calling, especially women and especially women who I don't eve know calling me hun or babes makes me want to slap them.

There are some people who seem to not be able to hold a conversation without finishing every sentence with 'hun'. Bleeugghhh.