Would you be offended if a bus driver called you "babe".

[HungryHelga]

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/01/dont-call-me-babe-on-the-bus

This woman was, and she reported the bus driver to his employer. I am not sure if I agree with this her not. Maybe it was a little inappropriate but I am sure he was only being friendly. I would not like to live in a world where people at work are not allowed to use terms of endearment towards customers.

I'd be surprised, as the bus drivers here are grumpy sods.

We have one bus driver around here who hands out lilipops to the kids on her bus. She handed out one to mine one day and called him "sweetheart"...gasp perhaps I really should let the bus company know that they're employing someone who gives out sugary, unhealthy treats to poor unsuspecting young passengers...or, oh my, perhaps she's a paedo!!!! I fear that the UK is rapidly moving towards the US model of operation: find subversive meaning in everything, be offended by everything, and most importantly, litigate as often as you can. :(

Nope, not in the slightest.

Nope - wouldn't both me

Doesn't bother me, in fact being called 'babes' by very cool London Underground worker recently helped recover a little of what had been a very trying journey into work (I might have had a hellish journey and been over an hour late but hey, I've still got it)!

'Madam', however (in Waitrose) just made me feel and old.

I'd be calling the bus company telling them he needed an eye test!

Being called babe by a complete stranger, especially in that setting would annoy me. It is pathetic that they are so unprofessional that they have to told it is inapporpriate to refer to customers as babe. I bet the bus drivers complaining that it is "pc madness" and they have a right to refer to women like this would not like it if a homosexual man called them babe or darling.

no

Frankly it would make my day.

I think it's highly unlikely a bus driver would call me babe
I really hate being called "guys" when out with female friends though, and have been known to ask "Do I look like a guy?" in best schoolmarm tones.

I can't say I would love it, but then I don't really like 'babe' much, prefer sweetheart or even love. Babe just makes me
Would never report someone for it though, it's only a word!

I'd be delighted

What troll?

'Babe' annoys me in the same way 'hun' does, but it wouldn't ruin my life to be called it by a bus driver and I wouldn't report him.

I'd have forgotten it by the time I sat down on the bus.

I don't like Babe but things like love, sweetheart etc doesn't bother me.

Seeing Babe with a capital letter reminds me that Babe is a pig in a book by Dick King-Smith. Sorry, can't shift the image now.

No of course not. I have far more important things to worry about. Although if a patient started calling me babe, I might be a bit concerned about them...!