Shop assistants

I do enjoy the ambulance programmes, but the staff seem to end every single sentence with 'sweet', 'darling' or some other endearment. It does sound patronising, I know they mean well, but they do after all know the patient's name.

I rest my case

I like it - I think they're trying to be kind. Up where I am the local lingo is Doric, and I always feel quite chuffed when someone says "my quine" to me!

Jemma75

I'm more interested if they acknowledge me by looking in my eyes along with a pleasant expression.

i would find that a bit creepy.
i don't really want people who i am only encountering in a functional or passing capacity trying to look into my soul.
it seems unnecessary, intrusive.
a glance in the general direction suffices.

I do 3 days a week on the supermarket tills these days, I love it, with a new customer, I break the ice with “hello how are you today”. Most respond in some way, which leads to brief chat and ending in “bye”, management encourage this approach.
There in no need to use love, dear, mate or any other any address.

One of the customers at the charity shop the other day called me ‘Dolly’ several times, no offence meant and none taken.

Just meant as friendly words to me, I don't mind.

Alright Lucca mate ?

I love it when a shop worker calls me Madam! As a veteran shop worker I love to receive good service from someone who knows their job.

In business I was called 'my dear', as though I was fresh from school so I just said "I am not your dear, my name is Mrs .... and I would like to be addressed like that".

B9exchange

Is it only me having deja vu, didn't we discuss this on another thread not that long ago?

Look at the date. May 2021
Your not wrong.

I don’t mind any of them, inc. hen, duck and ‘my lover’, heard only in the West Country AFAIK.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest

It’s ‘duck’ here.
I don’t mind at all.
“Eye oop duck”
Nice and friendly.

In Scotland it was normal to be referred to as Hen. I call all dogs “darlin”. Pet, lovely, darling, love, son, mate, duck all very common depending on whichever area of country you are in. No problem with such terms.

Couldn't care less so long as it's intended to be polite. I've been addressed as hen, darling, dear, luvvie, miss, mrs, madam, ma'am, cariad, and all sorts of other things all my life so it's nothing to do with age. The only thing that really grates with me is 'Hun' but I wouldn't make a fuss about it (just keep my distance from them in the future 😄).

Whatever term someone uses there will be someone who complains about it - perhaps wear a big name badge in the future ? 'Call me Mrs Smith'

If a shop assistant makes you feel old by calling you dear, that’s your problem, not the friendly shop assistant.

Oldbat1

In Scotland it was normal to be referred to as Hen. I call all dogs “darlin”. Pet, lovely, darling, love, son, mate, duck all very common depending on whichever area of country you are in. No problem with such terms.

A woman I worked with many moons ago always responded to this with “I know I’m no chicken but don’t call me Hen!!”

Brought up in WMidlands,worked in Leicester for a while. "Duck" not unknown in WMids, & rife in Leicester when I was there. I like these casual friendlinesses & on occassion do use them myself. In Bristol, the amount of times I've called a someone "duck" & got a double take or not knowing whether to take offense response - it doesnt go down well at all. Particularly with men / boys.

I can't stand poncy shop assistants who look and talk down at you! So yes, give me friendly ones with a bit of banter- as I experienced when we moved to the West then East Mids- and still now.

Doesnt worry me in the slightest as long as they smile and are attentive