Do you mind male strangers calling you “love” or “darling”?

[Buzyizzy217]

Does it irritate you when complete male strangers call you by a term of endearment, like “love” or “darling”?
To answer the obvious question, yes, it does me and I tell them not to do it. Just curious.

More pressing things to fret about but still took the time to comment on a question asked 5 months ago 🤦‍♀️

The standard in the NHS in our area is "My lovely" when answering calls or in person. I have no issues with that.

No! Where I’m from it’s entirely normal!

In my part of the world it's usually "pidge" or "mar lady" plus a few other terms of endearment. Oddly enough these only seem to be used by men. It doesn't irritate me and I'm not a fan of it; it's not said from a place of malice, so that's ok with me.

I wouldn't accept this from a partner though! It completely turns me off.

Yes. Because I dislike misogyny in all its forms. Both greater and lesser.

Not really, my boyfriend calls pretty much everyone love he always has done. There's a guy in my area that also does it. He doesn't mean any harm by it

Doesn’t bother me at all! But I’m in the north east so “pet/darling” are used a lot and I grew up in Yorkshire where everyone was “love”

Not at all. It's very normal to be called "love" "chick" "hun" "darling" "duck" here even some men call each other love.

No, but only because most of the time it’s said out of habit or learnt behaviours instead of being sexist.

So, when my dad or husband or the bloke delivering my shopping call me love it’s misogyny? What is it when my mum and sister call me Love, or I call them it them and the woman who does my hair?

Nope I just call them love, sweetheart or darling back 🤷

Context is everything.

Chatty shop person that has built rapport - ‘enjoy the rest of your day my love’ - no problem
Smarmy, mansplaining plumber - ‘you really don’t want an outside tab there love’ (disclaimer: it’s been there 27 years already), no.

That's odd - you answered.

Exactly! Women call me love, as well as men. It is neither misogenitic nor sexist. Plenty of things are though. Let’s focus on those and look at real equality issues.

Why is that odd?

Honestly, it depends on the context. Most of the time it would not bother me at all however I have had it a few times in work when I have had to nip it in the butt. My say is final - you do not need to clear it with a man.

Yes, and when women do it too. It makes me feel patronised.

No.

No. Women or men on socials calling me hon to try to get things, like when I'm giving away things and they're expecting me to deliver it halfway across the country, yes.

'My 'ansom' is a local version. Not many people object to it though!

Me duck - is apparetly also used for men or so IL say just rarer hich is their local version. I think there a huge regaional variation.

I think mate is usual male equivalent to love or darling.

It does depend on context - but mostly no.

No...I just see it as being friendly.

No, it's just a pleasantry. I probably do it to them too.

Did you notice the word “strangers” in the thread title?

Also the word “male”?