If he starts messages with 'hi lovely'...

[ColdHandsColdFeetWarmHeart]

... how do I start mine?

He calls me 'lovely' and 'sweetheart' which I definitely like, but can't think of anything to reply with - what affectionate terms can you use for a man?

I'm 50+ and so out of practice with this!

I tend to go with 'Hey gorgeous! I want to peel your clothes off like a satsuma and f*ck your face off'

but appreciate we are all happy with different levels of intimacy

I generally start them with hi handsome etc.

But after sort of 'seeing' someone who did the same and was maybe love-bombing etc I now don't let it be the be all and all if I don't reply in a similar fashion.

Not a fan of pet names myself, the last guy who tried to call me "Babe" got a ten minute lecture on why I'm not a sheep-pig! But a male friend calls me "my lovely" and it makes me go all warm and fuzzy, Go Know!

Go all Westcountry and say "Hello me luvvuurrrrrrr"

That weirded me out as a child when random people would say it to me. It was just a way of being nice. See if it gives him the ick.

Or the annoying "Honey!!!" shrieked in a high, tense voice.

I use a variety of endearments inc:

Lovely,
Sweetie
Snuggles,
Chuckybum etc.

I couldn’t give a toss if any random posters on here think they’re naff as you’re not the recipient.

@Themummilly

Run.

He can't use your actual name?!?

🙄🙄🙄

@Themummilly

Run.

He can't use your actual name?!?

WTAF? Peak MN?

Hun, obviously

Or Beanie button banana

Babe isn't that bad actually

Hey, allskinnomeat, how's your day?

@swissmodel and @NovemberNovemberDarkNights I think that poster was being tongue-in-cheek!

@ColdHandsColdFeetWarmHeart

It's not online dating, we've had 4 dates and I've known him for years so know exactly what his situation is.

I just wanted affectionate name suggestions, not a character assassination! Flipping mumsnet

Yeah, that was optimistic these days!

He gets called a variety of love/lovely/sweetheart, occasionally gorgeous & sexy
(& babe - though I want to shoot myself afterwards!!)

Also a couple of things that aren't generic.

It took quite a while for me to use them though... a lot more than four dates, but we hadn't known each other before then.

I also call him a multitude of things that stay firmly in my head 🤬

I called him by his name the other day, trying to make a serious point, and he took the piss for hours afterwards!

[quote MerryMarigold]**@swissmodel* and @NovemberNovemberDarkNights* I think that poster was being tongue-in-cheek![/quote]
Hmm somehow I don't think so.

I'd say hey you, and I use hey doll a lot, for both men and women. Agree with PP that you don't need til mirror him though, just do what's natural to you.

[quote MerryMarigold]**@swissmodel* and @NovemberNovemberDarkNights* I think that poster was being tongue-in-cheek![/quote]
The problem with MN posts, as with Guardian opinion pieces, is that you never know when it's an actual parody or an accidental one.

I call people by whatever comes naturally. If nothing comes naturally then I call them by their name. Don't overthink it

Hey Mr
Hello you
Hi there
Well hello

Or as time goes on you will find something that is your “in” joke and will text happily ever after.

Buggerlugs.

We use it as a term of affection, but I can see that it might not be widely transferable.

Hi big boy

I literally cannot say people's names either in real conversation or in text. I just can't do it, it feels weird. Don't ask me why! And if someone calls me by my name, I feel as if I'm in trouble 😬

We use:
Gorgeous
Boo
Babe
Handsome
Beaut
Love O' (as in Love O' My Life)
Sausage Head

Hi studmuffin

@19Bears

I literally cannot say people's names either in real conversation or in text. I just can't do it, it feels weird. Don't ask me why! And if someone calls me by my name, I feel as if I'm in trouble 😬

Yes!!! Oh I'm glad it's not just me 😂

Each day my fiancé greets me with 'Good Morning Beautiful Gorgeous' and I respond 'Good Morning Handsome'. One day he tried to shorten it by saying Good Morning BG. And I responded, 'Big Girl'...yeah don't. Everything can't be shortened.

DH and I start texts or voice-messages or phone calls
'Hello You' I go all warm inside when I hear him say it. Not sure why.
Sometimes he says 'Hi Love' which I like too. I never say anything soppy.

I mostly call dh love or duck, it just happened naturally as our relationship developed. I definitely wasn't using terms of endearment in our texting stages, it feels too forced to me that early, also kind of makes you wonder if they've forgotten your name.