Calling Women "Darling, Dear, Love" etc.

[KotOD]

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This post is a spin-off from this thread by DMACM about calling dudes "chief, boss, sport" etc.

Also in a thread about a Seinfeld episode ("The Diplomat Club"), MattSuspect commented that George calls all women "dear".

I can't bring myself to address a woman by anything other than her name or, rarely, "ma'am". It just feels and sounds awkward, but I hear it all the time in casinos for example. Is there some age barrier that you cross and then suddenly call random women "dear, love, hon, darling" etc? Usually this best applies to women in service type jobs, especially waitresses. And I would guess that this is now somewhat obsolete in the workplace.

So what's your go-to phrase for women? Or are you like me and just don't bother or feel awkward saying "thanks darling" when you get your $3 Corona? Thoughts?

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Women that are in some position of responsibility or service to me (even a waitress) get a "ma'am". Women in almost all other situations get a "sweetie".

[The Yugoslavian]

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i call them dork or kiddo

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These are my two favs as well.

Yugoslav

[SlackerMcFly]

I call my wife Squaw. She hates it.

All other women I call Dear or Hon.

[Brettster]

I called my last girlfriend c0k gobbler

[Blarg]

This isn't the kind of thing I think you can do with anyone and everyone.

[skiller3]

Girlfriend: Baby girl

Random chicks: Lady or Miss

[GSykes]

[censored] [censored] [censored]

Always does the trick

[.Alex.]

I had a conversation about this with my 26 year-old cousin recently. She claimed that it was sexist because men say it in a patronizing way in a subtle show of power. I mostly disagreed because I don't think that's the intent and, as some of you mentioned, these kinds of terms are often used both ways anyway. Looks like most of you agree, though of course the opinions are going to be biased here.

[-zero-]

For some reason I like it when people call me names like that. Although its only been older women and men (40+), and never in a condescending way.

[Blarg]

They call them endearments because they're endearing. I usually like them.