"Sweet"

I personally wouldn't want an ex offender coming to my front or back door trying to sell me something, for all you know they might be looking at what you have, and checking who lives there, everyone deserves a chance I know and people can change, but sorry not for me

I don't mind being called anything (within reason!) But I hate the term Hun. They could just as easily call me honey which is fine by me.
I work with several young teenagers who call each other 'Dearest'. I think that's lovely!

Some say "sweet" now meaning that's great. I don't like dear, it makes me feel old.

I used to buy something as I felt sorry for them but I have stopped as they charge so much

I don’t get too bothered by being called ‘sweet’ or ‘my dear’ etc, but I do object to these people trying to sell ‘stuff’ without being invited to do so - cold calling.

There are plenty of really needy people who, until Covid, held down responsible jobs. They are doing all they can to earn money.

I just firmly say ‘no thank you’.

pen50, I too have been called “my luvvverrr” for many years by members of both sexes, young and old, stranger & friend, and I love it!

I don't mind, I think it is difficult for them to come and ask, knowing what people generally think of them. I always buy a little and have never been offended by them. I even gave the last one a coat of my husband's as he was shivering at the door. I think we have to try to be kinder to people and help out where we can.

I do not like cold callers calling at the door. I was nearly persuaded to buy a new garden seat at what sounded like a good price, then I thought it's winter where as it been so said no the chap was polite which made me feel worse.
Where we used to live you usually got a mouth full of obscenities then somehow it does not make you feel as uncomfortable. Also had eggs thrown at the house on refusing to open the door to a cold caller.
Don't really mind what people call me, I've lived with man,me duck, mate and marra, as long as they are polite.

Not one person, so far, has commented about the man arguing when asked not to use the term 'sweet'.
All he needed to say was "Okay, sorry."

From the link given by Blossoming -
The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note – usually £10. The householder disappears to get this – this is when the scam begins, according to the police. When the note is handed over, the lad examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new – they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty – this is an indication that there is more in the property. Those addresses are noted. The addresses of elderly / vulnerable / gullible people are all noted.

Whatever they call you, watch out!

Oh the old Nottingham Knockers!
Don't care what they call me, I still ain't buying!
There have been cases recently where one of these men keep the householder busy at the front door, while another is either checking out rear access to the property or actually performing a burglary.

I like watching the ambulance programmes, and the paramedics often call their patients things like Sweetie, Darling etc. I guess if I was needing their help, I wouldn't care too much what they called me!

My least favourite is you guys. I know it is a generic term these days but when it is said to a group of two or more ladies it sounds ridiculous and grates on me. It is also overly matey. By contrast, as with a previous poster, I have occasionally been called young lady by older men and it always makes me smile.

grandMattie

Beware!+ A policeman told my WI that these "ex-offenders" are nothing of the sort. They are part of the scammers/slavers who sell you rubbinsh at an exorbitant price. Watch out - "sweet" or not!

Yes, you are right we were warned at our WI and apparently the "goods" are rubbish at very inflated prices. The policeman that spoke to us warned us that some of these people also check out your house for security alarms etc.

Never mind what they call you- if you have these men in your area watch out! They are often 'casing the joint' to return at a later date & break in. We had a spate of that last year- luckily our road is very security minded & almost everyone has an alarm & security lights. As we are a cul-de-sac I am surprised as they only have one way out if the police do turn up.

Some of the terms my clients call me include ‘sweetheart, darlin, mate, hun and babe’. And I answer to all of them, even the ones that make me wince, because I’m so delighted that they’re willing to engage with me at all.

Yes, you are being a bit over sensitive but I wouldn’t buy from a cold caller anyway

Yes LovelyLady I’m not a great fan of door sellers, but try to be polite because I feel sorry for them as they must be fairly desperate to be doing it, and some people can be quite nasty.

On the other hand I’m not gullible and won’t be pressurised into buying rubbish from scammers, but sadly vulnerable people can be intimidated by them.

Many so called “term as of endearment* are only used to address women or old people which I find patronising. I’m fine with terms which are used locally for everyone such as “love”.

I don’t open the door. I’d suggest you don’t either.

I won't entertain anyone selling at the door. We have signs up, and several CCTV cameras, (with required signs stating that), and think that and being quite rural prevents us having too many.

I have heard that some - maybe not all - of these supposed ex-offenders can be checking out properties for their thieving mates. Never get into the kind of conversation where you say when you're in/out, and in fact make a point of saying someone is in the house all day.

I like your solution JdotJ
I must remember that especially after reading on here that they are all scammers.

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all.

It is one thing for a person you are fond of to use a term like love or sweet, something quite different for a stranger to do so.

What gets me when said by strangers is “MY darling, MY love” etc.
I’m not YOUR anything ?

Here in the West Country, complete strangers call you ‘my lover’. Took some getting used to, but I like it. I don’t mind any of those sort of expressions. I find them friendly, rather than patronising. The English are handicapped by not having a neutral but polite, and not too formal way of addressing strangers, such as ‘ma’am’ or ‘miss’, and ‘mate’ is rarely appropriate for people you don’t know, especially not for women. ‘Madam’ is pretty much obsolete, and ‘missus’ sounds like something from a fifties soap opera.

I don't buy things at the door. But as for the "sweet", it's not a thing that bothers me. I am northern and almost everyone (except very young people) calls other people "love". Just a way of being friendly and less formal.

In our last house I was 'disturbed' to have my sunbathing interrupted by a man standing in my garden saying as he couldn't get an answer at my front door so he had 'popped round'. He was a Jehovah's witness (he said, though I thought they hunted in pairs). I was so incensed (and embarrassed and a little bit afraid) I have him my best 'clear off' language and chased him down the driveway! JW's never called at our house again