Puzzled by Fruit and Veg Men in the Market

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'm trying to use our local fruit and veg men in the market, particularly as our local supermarket is closing (!!).

But I'm finding the whole "flirting" thing they do rather offputting. I realise they don't mean it. But I still find it very strange to be called "gorgeous" while buying strawberries. (It's not offensive to me, it just seems so silly.) Is there any way to get out of this?

Why do they do it?

Steady spider (says she,trembling over the keyboard). It's barely noon on the day of rest!

I don't think giving the same back, in my accent, would work, somehow ...

(And I'm afraid the construction worker with a toolbelt isn't my thing. To each her own.)

ha ha at this thread! Kbear, they say 'all right my lover?' here in Bristol too. My dad was Cornish, I can just hear it being said with that accent! at Soupy assuming anyone ussing gorgeous is taking the p*, I would too atm/these days, since gorgeous I most certainly am not. It wouldn't bother me from the fruit and veg stall man but, oddly, it WOULD bother me (and does) if it's someone like, I don't know, a customer/work colleague/salesperson/ who uses it to patronise me. Then I feel justified in saying haughtily 'and I'm not your 'love' thank you very much.'

Ha ha spider!

My nan used to call everyone "Duck" - she was a Londoner too but her mum was from Doncaster so I don't know if that came from up there. I love all these little pet names, Hen, mate, my loverrr, depending on where you are. I don't like babe, or love but one friend of mine always calls me LUV in a very saf London accent and I forgive her!

There is worse that someone call a person so if there's a little pet name bandied about no harm done IMO.

And I would LOVE to be whistled at but would probably die from shock!

'me duck' is common in N Derbyshire - maybe Doncaster as well?

when she said it sounded more like "Dut". I can hear her now - "sit your bum down and have an almond slice Dut".

I loved my nan, she was great - happy memories!

Anyway, thought of another one, "treacle". Remember Pete Beale in Eastenders milking cockney for all it was worth? "Stick another cuppa rosy in there for me treacle"! ha ha

Taking out dd and ds is sometimes such a brain scramble that I often absentmindedly call strange adults 'darling', 'sweetheart' or even 'pickle'.

When DH (Kiwi) first came to Nottm to visit my family, he was determined to find someone who'd call him 'mi duck'. We did, at the Bull at Wilson (pub where we had nice Sunday lunch).

It took a while longer to find the ful 'Ey up mi duck' though

Yes, have called colleagues "darlin'" when answering absent-mindedly.

lol at "not one of mine" comment to edam.

I did once terrify one of the local parking warden chaps by walking up behind him and saying "how are you doing, gorgeous?".

He turned around, completely terrified.

And then discovered I was talking to DS1 in the pram.

Message withdrawn

I used to be called 'quine' in Scotland. Though nowadays I guess I'd be a 'wifey'.

Message withdrawn

Aye pruni. Aberdeen it wiz. I niver kent aboot the 'prostitute' thing though.

Dress like this , orthis

That should do it