Do you mind being addressed with Aw Bless!

I am 70 and was in hospital for eight days last year, not once did any nurse, assistant, doctor or tea lady address me in that way.

I called Aviva finance last week. I’ve never met any of the call handlers: she immediately called me ‘my lovely’ then ‘ my love’ and then again ‘my lovely’!
This is supposed to be a reputable company!
I have a name!
I found it very offensive and told the call handler exactly that! All her language was inappropriate!
Don’t they have trading on how to address customers?
I told her I felt it inappropriate, she apologised and then carried on!
What’s wrong with these companies?

Kandinsky

‘Aw bless’ is just so patronizing. It’s like they think you’re useless.

Calling someone ‘hun is so chavvy. Thankfully, I don’t know anyone personally who would use it.

I've been using "Honey" all my life as my mum used it and she got it from my American auntie back in the 50s. We often shorten it as well but if I write it down its always "hon". Mostly used within the family and the odd very close friend. I do find indiscriminate use of "hun" very
irksome!!

theworriedwell

I've lived in Devon for almost 30 years never heard anyone say my lover although back then one elderly neighbour used to refer to my daughter as the maid.

My father in law used to refer to one DGD as maid.

I've lived in Devon for almost 30 years never heard anyone say my lover although back then one elderly neighbour used to refer to my daughter as the maid.

I don’t think it is used here, never heard it anyway. Sounds very parochial. We have ‘sweetie’ sometimes, usually sarcastically. A good one for someone over the top and inappropriate is ‘settle,petal’-makes me laugh but it is actually very rude. I’ve heard ‘darl’ from time to time - we tend to shorten things.

If anyone addresses me as Lovely I can feel myself starting to seethe. Aw bless is dreadful too. In a local shop near me the staff call all the women Madam. It’s so refreshing it makes me want to shop there.

windmill1

'Aw bless!' gets the response 'Are you religious then!'

I will use that one. Very good.

Fartooold

Doesn’t bother me at all, much kinder than all the awful language that is spoken nowadays!

Me too! It's always accompanied by a smile as well isn't it?
Mind you I'm a great one for lovelying , sweetieing and darlinging everyone . Occasionally known to randomly poppet

Mollygo

petra

I would advise the majority here not to holiday in Cornwall.
But if you do, be sure to take your smelling salts because you’ll certainly have a touch of the vapours when your addressed with ^ello my lover^

Some family we visit there don't say that. We’ve never heard that in all the years we’ve holidayed in Cornwall. Perhaps it’s only in quaint tourist spots where they speak “furrin” for the tourists.

I was called 'me lover' when I first moved to Devon.
As I was about 21 and the man was about 60 I was startled but yes, it was a fairly normal greeting there.

Doesn’t bother me at all, much kinder than all the awful language that is spoken nowadays!

I just don't mind the collective "guys" though, by waiters and the like. I know some people don't like it, it's how all the younger members of our family address us together, and it's the kind of language idiosyncratic to their peer group and younger. To me it feels inclusive, certainly not patronising when a much younger person addresses us as "dear" or "my love"

Hi Mollygo. Years ago we had two holidays in Mousehole. I well remember regularly being addressed as 'mi luvver'. I rather liked it and it is a fond memory.

There's something really annoying about "my" preceding love, I don't mind the love bit that much, depending on who is saying it, but I did get really annoyed at being addressed as "my love" by a very young woman, she was about 20 to my 60 at the time. I couldn't help thinking, "have you not had any training as to how to address potential customers without patronising them". On the other hand when OH and I were in a coffee shop and the young waitress asked him "what can I get you babe?" He was overwhelmingly amused by what many could be deemed as completely inappropriate.

petra

I would advise the majority here not to holiday in Cornwall.
But if you do, be sure to take your smelling salts because you’ll certainly have a touch of the vapours when your addressed with ^ello my lover^

Some family we visit there don't say that. We’ve never heard that in all the years we’ve holidayed in Cornwall. Perhaps it’s only in quaint tourist spots where they speak “furrin” for the tourists.

Lathyrus3

I have been known to wave my hand vaguely and reply in a sanctimonious voice

‘And bless you too, my child.”

Good idea. I am getting increasingly annoyed by being addressed in terms more suitable for a child.

Yes when getting a new phone in EE.
She must have “blessed” me a dozen times.
I eventually suggested with a smile that if I needed to be blessed I would ask a priest.

My husband hates, "Thanks fella, hello fella, bye fella...." I understand why. As previously mentioned our Australian friends when they worked in the U.K. for a couple of years didn't understand "Are you ok?" Or "Are you alright?" as a greeting not a question.

The one that I absolutely HATE being called by anyone is ''dear''.

At the post office, the assistant will hand me my change or whatever and say There you are, dear''

I'll hold a door open for someone, and they'll say ''Thanks, dear.''

I CAN'T PIGGIN' STAND IT!

petra

I would advise the majority here not to holiday in Cornwall.
But if you do, be sure to take your smelling salts because you’ll certainly have a touch of the vapours when your addressed with ^ello my lover^

😂. I’ve yet to hear that in Cornwall, but I live in hope!

I do mind,
it’s a bugbear of mine along with “Are you guys ready to order?” when I’m out for lunch with a group of female friends.

I hate being talked down to and treated like an uneducated peasant. On most occasions I really don't mind a "Can I help you, love?" or "Come on, darling", particularly if accompanied by a smile.

"Aw bless", however winds me up. I do tend to say "I didn't sneeze" or "I'm not religious and object to being blessed".

The one time I lost my temper though was with the young hospital doctor. Three times, she managed to begin a sentence with "But, my dear...." in such a condescending manner.

I should add that my now retired butcher used to call me "Young Lady" my response was always the same, " Still not booked your optician's appointment then, Fred? "

Not had this expression aimed at me and I usually find professionals ask me how I want to be called, usually say by first name. I do get called "love" but I don't mind that, it's friendly and usually used regardless of age. Tbh any greeting that comes with a smile is ok with me.

I would advise the majority here not to holiday in Cornwall.
But if you do, be sure to take your smelling salts because you’ll certainly have a touch of the vapours when your addressed with ello my lover