Barack Obama apologises for calling a reporter 'sweetie'

[MargaretMountford]

would you object ?

I probably would, as a Good Feminist, but then I have to remember that I personally call everyone Sweetie. I'm quite sure I've called the Inferoriettes' headmistress My Love.

A policeman called me sweetheart twice last week. Some people can be a bit too precious imo.

I think I call people things like lovey, poppet etc but they are my family or friends ! wouldn't get het up though about the Barack Obama sweetie

I call children sweetie, regardless of sex

seemed a bit OTT to me

Hell, I often call the kids 'sweetie'

Some people just delight is getting hairs up their arses about things

I call all the children at school Darling. I must stop, really, at some point.

sorry but I totally disagree. It is one thing for your friendly copper or the postman to call you sweetie, but good god, this is the most powerful job on the planet. Giving an indication that it is an acceptable form of address is absolutely shocking to me. Even at work if someone dared to call me sweetie they would get a mouthful of patronising vitriol from me.

That notwithstanding, MM, may I say I do love your name.

Isn't it the tone of how something is said that is wrong, not the word (generally speaking)?

I call people duck usually, and children sweetie.

On a personal note, I would love my own personal police officer to call me sweetheart, sigh.

He must have intended to offend her, I'd have thought

If not, and he thought this was ok, he is A Bit Dim, which is a large large Worry

Ooh, unknown are you from Nottingham? The duck thing..?

I call everyone dear.

I do actually agree with Squiffy. It's just that I am a frighful luvvie.

the manager of this office - who is also good friends with my dh - said to me "thanks for such a thing sweetie"

i replied " you are very welcome darling"

i don't mind it - i think we can get overly anal - i mean in the Uk its a colloquialism in some areas - eg - where i am from is "love" "there you are love" "i'll get that for you love"

somewhere else its duck " there you are duck"

or pet " i'll get that for you pet"

what i hate is MATE

fucking hate it

I am a lady - do not address me in such an uncouth manner

Staffs Puppy.

or petal

i actually call kids 'chicken'

" y'alright chicken"
"what's up chick?"

now if you think about that rationally -its bizarre -

i dont think its the word but the intention in some instances

apart from mate - thats the exception

But you are a LUVVIE mi

Obama is a presidential candidate and you can't go around calling ambitious political journos 'sweetie' just because they are blonde women

maybe she was a sweetie?

Custardo!

I have said I agree with Squiffy! Not Good Behaviour to call women sweetie, I agree.

I think the people who would object are those who walk down the street bristling and looking for something to object to.

Everyone is "love" up here. Burly tattooed Yorkshiremen even call each other it!

I don't bristle. I call people Sweetie. I'd still object.

So, should the potential president of the US address Angela Merkel as 'sweetie' next time they meet?

Or perhaps he only saves the term for those he considers to be both female and substantially inferior?

Nope, sorry, can't get my head round this being ok in any way, chuck

Nope, it's not happening.

I like a good bristle on a friday

I wouldn't mind, in fact twice this week I have been called a good girl and although part of me should have been deeply patronised I actually wuite liked it.

I live in an area where everyone and I mean calls everyone pet and I used to haaaattteee it doesn't bother me now.

I call the children chicken/chick as well.
These things bother me less than mate or madam or even hoi mrs, prefer a nice wee pet when I am served in a shop etc.