Don't call him babe!

My DIL calls my son Bokkie.

M DD and SIL are both in their 40s and always refer to each other as babe A double glazing salesman (a young man) came to our door a while ago and when I said I didn't need any windows he said 'no worries babes'. I was rather pleased to be called babes at 66

I always call my grandson Babe, or Cake (don't ask!). I have no objections to pet names but an assistant in a supermarket called me 'sweetie' recently. I was most annoyed. I've never been a sweetie, am not a sweetie now and there is no possibility of me turning into one in the future. But I didn't say that to her .

Have always called DH Angel and GC are often sweetheart. I know I have slipped up when I call to DH, when we are out and about, and he gives me that horror stricken look.

In Stoke-onTrent, where I was born, people refer to their nearest and dearest, and often complete strangers as "duck". I no longer live there, but I love to hear this friendly greeting whenever I visit. The Potteries people are very warm-hearted. I am not quite so pleased by the use of " babe".

I often address my sons, (in their 30's,) as Babe. I get told off by their respective partners.....
"He's MY babe, he's YOUR son."
On the contrary I reply, "He's MY Babe, he's YOUR boyfriend!!"
Good job we are friends!! :D

I often call my DH "Babe"! But usually when we're on our own. I agree with "Iam64" - surely loving endearments are a good thing? Perhaps it grates (for "grapefruit") because the couple in question have not been together long? Is it easier to accept pet names (used by couples) when they've been together for some time? Just a thought!

Sorry for your worries downtoearth. Hope things look up for you soon.

I too cringe if my OH calls me babe in public, and indeed if he shows signs of affection sometimes!

It's true we should not let silly things irritate us and deep down i'm sure we are grateful for what we have. We are just human and I for one am sometimes just a grump!

downtoearth -
So sorry to hear about your husband.
Expect all the little irritations of 'ordinary life' are longed for when you are supporting someone you love through a deep depression.
I hope you are able to have some respite as it must be exhausting and lonely.

Those of us who are currently irritated by little things should be more thankful that we don't have bigger things wearing us out. (lesson to self)

I hope things improve soon

I am guilty of Darling- ing my family and sweethearting- ing children. When I was nursing I was really cross if any of my staff called patients by endearments instead of by the names they wished to be known by and was well known for stopping the practice dead in its tracks.

OH calls me babe ,have got used to it now but used to cringe in public as being 20 years older no way am I a babe but he isnt well now with a crippling depression and he dosent call me anything anymore as he is so poorly and guess what I miss it

I use terms of endearment to my son and GD ,my OH looks like a character from Eastenders and have always called him that and never his given name,but never darling or babe.

Babe is just another term of endearment. Much on the lines of Love, Honey,Pet, Flower, Sugar etc.

Personally I have never felt comfortable using any of them but each to their own. DH and I are very boring and always call each other by our names. to our faces anyway

Oh come on - Oliver Norvell Hardy was known to all and sundry as 'Babe'...

I quite like 'babe'. In fact, I like it when any term of endearment is used between couples. Not so keen when used in other circumstances.

My Ozzie son-in-law calls DD 'babe'. You get used to it.....[sigh emoticon]

Leave them alone! Young love!
[soppy heart emoticon]

I've come to quite enjoy "babe" - it's a youth thing and as long as it's done with warmth and happiness, it's fine by me.
Mind you, it does remind me of that film with the pig…..

We have a friend who calls his wife 'Darl' (short for darling) When we first got to know them I though he was calling her 'Doll' which seemed really spivvy for a vicar

DD calls her SO hunni almost as annoying.
He has a pet name for her too.

It's like fingernails on a blackboard, it sets my teeth on edge!

annoying isn't it? We have a thread going, words that should be banned, where a poster says that women calling hulking great men 'babe' should be banned, I think you may agree with that.