Being patronising or maybe not ?

Guys no longer means just males.

And with all the stretchable gender that's in the media nowadays, we can't really be surprised.

In general I don't even notice what people call me; I only notice their manner. If their manner is pleasant/friendly I don't mind what particular friendly words they use – in my life (mainly northern British) words like love and pet are always used in a friendly way.

So, as tanith said, why sweat the small stuff? Especially when many politicians, for example, can be "patronising bastards" on a completely different scale.

The words in inverted commas are a quote, in case you're wondering.

I also find myself referring to people at work as ‘you guys’ something I would never have done ten years ago, but it’s so inclusive without having to say everybody’s names.

Doodledog
We have someone who works for us like your nurse, I always think I would find it most annoying, but people seem to like her, and she’s very good at calming people down.

Being called a 'girl' raises my hackles.

As for the rest, it really depends, I think. In anything approaching a professional situation it is a no-no, but a bus driver or someone calling me 'love' wouldn't bother me, and I like it when it's said by people I like. I think it's usually obvious if someone is being patronising, eg a shop assistant selling technology (ask me how I know ).

There is a nurse at the GP surgery I attend who can get through 'my love', 'sweetheart', 'darling', 'pet' and 'flower' in the time it takes to give an injection. She also calls me by a version of my first name that I never use, which also irritates me.

I think that Mrs Dog is appropriate in a professional situation, and Doodle should be reserved for less formal situations.

A bloke I briefly worked with, referred to all women as my darling or love. I told him I'd prefer if he didn't so he started calling me flower, instead. Flower my bl**dy a**e. Sexist twit.

When I lived in Australia I loved being called "mate". Everyone was everyone else's mate and I thought that was nice.

Don't mind guys either, but I know I'm in a bit of a minority with that one

Crossed posts, Puzzler61!

I used to feel irritated when a group I was in was referred to as ‘you guys’, saying to myself, ‘I am not a guy!’. Then I thought about it and decided it was just a young person’s way of addressing us. I’ve never objected to dear, darling, sweetie, my love etc, there are far worse things I’ve been called!

The one I find irritating is when I am with a group of ladies and someone (e.g. in a restaurant) calls us “you guys”. It is clear we are not guys!
?

As I’m not a follower of Attila I’m not sure why anybody would call me hun

As long as it’s not an insult I am not bothered but I don’t like the expression ‘alright’ girl or lad.

I quite like it too.

I spend a lot of time on the phone, and have been called all sorts, it depends largely on who it’s coming from. I don’t object to a sweet old Yorkshireman calling me sweetheart, but not a mouthy know all southerner. I hate being called mate, but yesterday, I think I hit a new low. Someone on the phone asked me to pass on a message to one of my colleagues, and said, don’t forget will you, there’s a good girl!
Unbelievable!

I like it. In fact I like it very much. It gives me a warm and friendly feeling.

I don't really object, but I find it odd that people I do not know at all call me dear, hen or love.

Doesn’t bother me one bit, why sweat the small stuff.