Alright luv? This isn't OK, is it?

[imaynotbeperfectbutimokmummy]

Need the mumsnet jury on this one - just to confirm that DP and I are right and his friend is wrong

DPs friend is a plumber, hes a lovely guy if a little OTT and hypercheerful, he always makes me smile. Thing is, he has this awful habit of calling women "luv" in the total stereotypical way that completely puts my back up. I forgive him because i know he doesn't mean anything by it and its just his way. But he has had problems with clients - why can't he understand that women really dont want to be called luv. It sounds condescending and patronising. Its ok coming from the old lady in the cake shop, but not from the plumber who is supposed to be entering into a professional contract and doing work in your house.

He says why should he change, its just his way - he is very "cor blimey ows yer father" and i do find it quite endearing, however the love thing does make my hackles rise.

Would it be a deal breaker for you if you needed work done in your home and the tradesman was "alright luv, dont worry about it, i'll sort if for ya" even if he is Mr lovely Smiley plumber? My DP is a carpenter and occasionally this guy has done some work for DP and vice verse and DP has had to tell him"for christ sake don't call her luv"

Your considerations?

We used to go to a restaurant in Sheffield where all the waiters called dh "sir" and me "love".

• Can I take your order sir? And what will you be having love?

Don't mind at all.

I like it. You don't get it often in Surrey but if I go to the farmers' Market or the fruit + veg stall I do and I really like it.

And I have had many a person call me 'my lover' in Cornwall over the years, mostly women. Love that too. Better that than the Surrey stone face.

I like being called love ( but I really need to get out more- or get myself a man!)

There is a bus driver round here who calls me Sweets, and I like that too!
[attention starved woman emoticon]

KittyBigglesworth, I'm a bloke and I often get called 'luv' by women working in the local market or in pubs and cafes. I've also been called "moi lovver" in the west country and "duck" in Sheffield (or somewhere near there). I find the regional variations in this kind of thing one of life's little amusements

i call men love all the time, i cant say i have had anyone object

Kitty, men do get called love quite often in yorkshire.

It doesnt bother me at all.
My boss is Scottish and always calls me hen, usually something along the lines of "im going to do this, is that alright hen?" to which I reply "perfectly fine with me cock"
He hasnt stopped so it mustnt bother him!

In Plymouth men will call other men luvvers - even when both have tattoos! . When he calls you 'luv' call him 'old chap'

My son's headmistress always calls me Luv. She's the same age as my mum, very well educated, speaks beautifully. We're right down South, but she's a Northern lass.

I think it's sweet.

i think it's kind of sweet

My dp calls all women 'luv' or 'darlin' so i'm so used to it i don't even notice it if anyone calls me luv