On being called Darling and Love

MarieElla

I prefer it to Madam...
Madam is awful, aging and condescending!
Darling/love is endearing and gender neutral.

Exactly!

I think it depends on how it is used. I don't have a problem with it per se, unless it is being used in a condescending or patronising context. We have a receptionist at our GP practice who calls you darling or beautiful on the phone, and to be honest, it would grate on me, but she's actually the nicest and most helpful receptionist there, so I don't mind.

I prefer it to Madam...
Madam is awful, aging and condescending!
Darling/love is endearing and gender neutral.

Where we live now, everyone, but everyone calls each other 'my lovely'. I love it and will start using the the term myself soon.

It'd get on my nerves.if every sentence contained "love"

I rather like it though in our part of Yorkshire everyone is addressed as ‘love’ no matter the age or gender. It would be a shame if regional quirks like this disappeared.

My FIL always used to call me dux. He did it so often I ceased to notice it.

I think it's a regional thing. Where my daughter lives, everybody is called "luv", whether they're young, old, male or female. I certainly don't take it personally.

They’re probably just trying to be friendly. It wouldn’t worry me. We usually get you guys or, sometimes, darl.

I can live with it! I have a Geordie SIL who calls me pet!

I get cheesed off with it. I find it horribly condescending. I have learnt to answer crisply with whatever condescending title I have been given.