To find 'pet' names unprofessional in CS?

[BigFatBully]

Am I being unreasonable to find the usage of pet names by customer service staff unprofessional?

I am the customer and a stranger, I expect to be treated with respect. My name isn't sweetheart, it isn't love, honey, darling or sweetie.

I think pet names are fine for family members, spouses or CLOSE friends. Am I being unreasonable to think there is a time and a place for such familiarity?

I was once called “my pet” by a lovely female airport security person at Edinburgh airport, I really liked it.

I think the terms of endearment (because these aren't, as many have pointed out, 'pet names') signal "I am well disposed towards you, I mean you no harm," whereas Madam (or Sir) or Mrs (Ms, Mx, Mr) XXXX sound colder and formal and could equally be used to signal dissatisfaction or anger. So being called love might not mean that they actually do love you (just as being called 'treacle' does not indicate that I am slightly runny and sticky), but it does smooth social interactions by being disarming.

No, please don't encourage the Grinch to come visit us friendly folks!

I know a dinner lady who works on the tills in a secondary school and she must have an encyclopaedia of these terms of endearment. The kids adore her and love to see which one they’ll be called. ‘Come on darling, sweetheart, dolly, love, lovely, petal…’
She brings warmth and joy to some children who wouldn’t get it elsewhere. The world would be a harsher place without folk referring to one another without kindness and familiarity.

I think in the right place, at the right time, it's fine. I don't mind it in shops, tearooms, pubs, informal restaurants, at the garage, with tradies, etc. I don't like it in environments where professional boundaries should be observed, such as in medical settings, banks, at the solicitor, etc.

At first I totally agreed with you as I thought you meant customer service agents on the phone, I do not like those types of customer services using pet names at all, or anyone in an online or telephone situation, but face to face in person I think pet names/terms of endearment are lovely! As long as it's not 'hun/hon' a word which makes me recoil!

I think @BigFatBully is on a wind up.
Are ye mate?

As part of a former job I regularly had to call Solicitors Offices. There was one where the Solicitor's PA used to call me Chick, Hen, Sweetheart, Darling. To be fair to her I don't think she ever repeated a name.

I don't normally mind as long as it is not done in a patronising way. Like the builder who called me deary when I pointed out his plaster had plastered over where the light switches were to be.

People are just being friendly, it’s a standard thing to do and your response to it is pretty hostile.

I don't mind the asking questions. It's when every answer I give is met with "oh perfect!" or "fantastic!" I reckon I could say my dogs just died & they'd still say something like that 🤣

I only have experience of being referred to using pet names - such as those in the OP - when receiving an elevated level of customer service.

I like being treated in a warm and friendly way. So I have a different perception than you op.
I also use these terms a lot myself. To the old and the young. Nothing meant but respect

I am embarrassed on your behalf.

WTAF?

In some parts of Wales, grown men call other grown men 'love.' ("You all right love?!") Inexplicably, said grown men don't give a shiny shite.

If they don't mind, that's fine. I do mind.
I don't want to be called darling when buying something.

I grew up being called “ducks” or “me’ducks” by every adult. I work in education and try very very hard not to say it but sometimes it just slips. As a PP said it’s just part of language and means you’re well disposed towards someone. A colleague calls all students “sir” or “ma’am” and I think that sounds creepy 🤮

Also OP if you really did say that in a bar you were staggeringly impolite to the staff member!!

Your username is apt. You’re lucky the bar man didn’t spit in your drink. They’re being friendly… you sound like a twat!

You sound like a barrel of laughs OP

I surprised someone with your delicate sensibilities was in a bar..
You sound high maintenance and a place like the savoy would suit you better.
You sound hard work and high maintenance.
You have little to worry about
Get a grip precious one

I would have refused to serve her anymore with that toffee nosed attitude. Bars have the right to refuse service .

Please don’t go oop North or to Ireland as you’ll hate us. 🤣🤣

Those are all terms of endearment and many are regional. It might be cheesy from time to time in certain situations, but I'll take cheesy over sterile and uptight.

Clearly.

How embarrassing.