Don’t call me ‘love’

I'm used to being called "love" as I'm from Lancashire but a lot depends on how it's said. What I don't like is charity collectors on the street who call out "Morning, love" when you walk past. They're usually middle-aged men and, if you don't respond for any reason, the thinly veiled sarcasm starts: "Oh well, have a nice day anyway." I'm afraid though that any younger man calling me love would sound a bit patronising to me.

Where I live you might hear quine, hen, doll or lass/lassie. If you're male, you might be called loon, boy or lad/laddie.

I don't like hun or babe but it's not something that bothers me really.

I attended a graduation ceremony recently and I was struck by the opening address, which was 'Men and women...' in place of ladies & gentlemen.

I didn't quite know what to feel about that. It's more egalitarian and modern, but at least with the older styling females come first but now we're placed second!

I would much rather be called “love” or “darling”, than “madam”, which I think sounds ageist, and unfriendly.
It is also very old fashioned. I once gave a supercilious shop assistant a jolt, when she called me this, saying “please don’t call me madam, it’s a dated expression, and it makes me feel old”.

Doversole is spot on. Too much over familiarity!

Even worse, "BABES"!

No - I like it

My OH hates it when waiters come over and say "everything OK Guys" as she says a guy is by definition male, but it's the way they are taught..

i do not want a person in a professional situation calling me love or darling....
miserable old git or what ... i don't care ...
i find it inappropriate patronising and irritating ...

My ex husband used to call me pet (he wasn’t even English so had picked it up from somewhere) anyway all his friends thought that was my name so everyone called me Pet I m getting on so it was around the time Pet Clarke was popular so I guess they thought I was a Petula My Nan was from Leicestershire so I was always used to m’ duck
No big problem with any of these but not keen on hun or babe from a stranger female but you have to go with the times not something I d really bother to get hot under the collar about to be honest

When I was living in Yorkshire 'luv' was used all the time, and I picked it up myself. I can remember speaking on the phone to my boss and I must have, inadvertently, called him 'luv'

I received a memo from him the next day saying 'I am not your love. I am your Regional Director.

* meant 'still are'

Up north where I was born, girls and women were called 'queen' by all and sundry. I hope they still do.

I remember being called hen by a Scottish dad at a parents' evening in Hampshire and thinking it was wonderful!

I just like people smiling at each other, and you're rarely called one of these affectionate names without a smile. (Btw I loathe being called madam)

Kupari45 - my favourite Auntie always called us Pet - it was lovely and I miss it!

It makes me giggle when I'm down in Somerset and someone says 'Ello my Lover - what can I do for you?' (It's a long time since I was anybody's lover!) I'm happy to be called anything if it's said in a friendly way. What I do hate is those sing-songy patronising voices that keep saying 'No problem' and 'Bear with me' over and over again!

I live in the North East and I'm quite used to being addressed as "PET" by strangers, workmen etc. Doesnt bother me at all. However what does annoy me is being addressed as "DEAR" by younger retail staff. Sometimes I ask for my receipt in shops and the staff say "Can you use a computer Dear? if so we will send it e-mail. Or, can you get someone to fill in a customer satisfaction form online for you Dear.

i absolutely hate, love, darling, lovey, dear etc. it just feels so patronising. daft I know, as I am sure people don't mean to upset. up to now, I have just bitten my tongue, but one day......

Bijou - couldn't agree more !

I cringe with irritation when I’m called love, pet etc. It will happen of course in friendly interactions in shops etc. However, I agree that staff at airports should behave more professionally. Madam and Sir is quite right there IMO.

I don't like it. I wish people wouldn't do it.
Another thing that gets my goat is people I don't know from Adam using my christian name e.g. NHS clinics - calling you forward for your appointment. It's patronising and presumptuous. and the excuse I've heard that some elderly people only respond when their christian name is bellowed at them is even more insulting. Grrrr.

One of my happiest moments was being called 'My old cock a lorra' by a lady in a shop, once.

Context is everything. Generally speaking, there are far worse things to get in a state about, than being called love, darling, hen, hinny, pet, flower, etc. But, as I say, context is everything.

Tell them to use Pet! Bring a bit of the north east to bear.

I love being called love, darlin' or hun or whatever. If I am feeling a bit low and someone calls me hun or something it cheers me up. Not long ago, a young salesman called me babes. It made my day. I hate being called madam. It makes me feel ancient.

He's probably traumatised!