Is ‘hello you’ affectionate or used when you have forgotten someone’s name?

[DayDreamer387]

I get so confused on this one. I bumped in to the parent of an old friend who said ‘hello you’ in a friendly/upbeat tone. Wasn’t sure if she’d forgotten my name, as I hadn’t seen her - or my former friend - for a few years. Could be useful for me to use if is the latter (forgot someone’s name), as I am always bumping into people who’s face I can never put a name to.

Vote:

YABU - Affectionate
YANBU - Forgot someone’s name

Both. It depends on whether you're fond of the person or actually forgotten their name...

Both. Was there a pause or awkward hair ruffle before the word "you"?

I can’t really remember. It has me confused though.

I remember people and lots of details about our last conversation together, bits about their lives... but I won’t remember their name. I always greeted them with “Hey stranger!” And added some personal detail like “how’s was your holiday in x or how are the kids”. No idea of their name, though.

Always worked.

I genuinely am unable to remember peoples names. Even if you iwere to introduce me to someone right now I would not remember their name 30 seconds later.
I concentrate on their face and how they look and simply do not notice the name.

I’ve only ever used it when I’ve fancied someone and been flirting.

Hello you is an affectionate term.

Oh I've just realised that someone whom I thought I was just friends with uses this with me.... I thought it was just a warm greeting but now I'm wondering if flirty. Depends on the circumstances but I wouldn't say its when someone's forgotten your name.

I say it to family and I can usually remember their names

I think it depends. Have they ever used that greeting to anyone that you saw when you knew them? Is it a regional thing? Here people get called duck whether they remember theyre names or not. Its just an area thing.

Affectionate.

Unless they say 'hello.........you' with a pause

My best friend starts her texts to me with "hello you." I'm pretty sure she hasn't forgotten my name.
An ex boyfriend would always say "hello mush" to me and he definitely knew my name.
I always take both of the above to be affectionate.

I've never thought of it as anything other than affectionate. That's certainly how I used it.
I either use it with those closest to me, or to people that I'm surprised to see

Yes, affectionate and informal. I’d be a bit surprised if someone I didn’t know especially well used it.

I use it when I have forgotten someone's name
I used to deliver training courses. Of course, delegates look at you for 8 hrs a day whilst you glance around the room!

One of the Dad's at my DC's school
always greets me with "Hello Beautiful!" I find it quite inappropriate because he's done it since we first met - so now am wondering if it's because he couldn't remember my name to begin with 🤣

He doesn't mean to say it in a creepy way. I don't think 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry if that sounds like a stealth boast. I have just always cringed when he says it. But felt embarrassed to mention it to anyone irl. Iyswim?

Affectionate imo.