Over familiar customers

[crazydaisy]

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I get so very angry when customers call me with stupid little pet names, like 'lovey', 'darling', 'duck' etc.
One old dear does this all the time, so I turned around to her and said 'Did you know my name isn't Darling?'
She at least had the good grace to say sorry, but it just annoys me hugely. Yes, you shop in my shop, but to me, you're a customer. I have to be polite and helpful. That is as far as the 'relationship' goes.

[iradney]

oh yes! YES! I don't mind it when sweet little old ladies/men do it (that's just their way), but when someone that is only a decade older than me starts calling me "lovely" or "sweetheart", my hackles just rise! It also depends on the person I suppose

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I don't mind if older people do it to me. Or even older middle aged people. Really, it depends on who they are, but this is the south and people do that. Mostly, disrepect is not intended, and I look younger than I am.

I did have one asshole repeatedly call me "honey" and "sweetie" who could not use this excuse. He was my age, and may have even been younger. He was an arrogant lawyer type with an attitude.

Not a problem, really. I simply addressed him the exact same way, being impeccably polite the entire time.

He didn't like that one bit, and I could tell, but while he fumed and turned kind of purple, he didn't say word one about it. He didn't say anything to me because he wanted to pretend it didn't bother him. He didn't say anything to my boss because what was he gonna say? I was extremely polite. And if it wasn't okay to be addressed like that, then why was he doing it to me?

Sweetie was owned and he knew it.

[Scottya21]

GAH I HATE THAT. Granted, I'm male, so I don't get as many of THOSE comments, but I get plenty of "buddy", "guy", "bro", etc etc.. Ugh.

[Becks]

Under certain circumstances, I don't mind "pet names". However, I do get freaked out when I'm called "ma'am". I'm too young for that.

[CanadaGirl]

I got called "dear" by a customer who was 4 years older than me once. (I ID'ed her)

[powerboy]

GAH I HATE THAT. Granted, I'm male, so I don't get as many of THOSE comments, but I get plenty of "buddy", "guy", "bro", etc etc.. Ugh.

I get that too. They call you buddy or are nice to you, when they want something, or done something wrong. But the second you give in, they get upset with you. I am not your friend, we are not going to be kicking it, sometime, later.

[Broomjockey]

My mother does that to waitresses all the time, and it embarresses me so much. It's like, they have nametags, if you have to call them something, call them by their names!

[reformedwaitress]

See, I don't mind because, when I was a waitress, I would call everyone doll and honey and darlin. If they looked like it bothered them, I would stop, but it's kinda of a habit. Because I don't always know their names so what am I supposed to call them?

I never do it to my waitress or to people who are in customer service or anything. Only when *I'M* waiting on *THEM*.

Would that annoy you too?

[wagegoth]

Under certain circumstances, I don't mind "pet names". However, I do get freaked out when I'm called "ma'am". I'm too young for that.

Oh, yeah. I knew my age was finally showing when I went from being "Miss" to "Ma'am." I haven't been ID'd in 12 years. But the last time I was it was in front of my MIL and I was 36 at the time, and her snide remarks later made it quite clear she was envious. So very golden. I'll never forget it (obviously).

[Kelly Lynne]

My personal pet peeve is "kiddo." I've been told I look young, but dang it, I'm twenty-five!!

[reformedwaitress]

My personal pet peeve is "kiddo." I've been told I look young, but dang it, I'm twenty-five!!

I call everyone kiddo. Even people that are like 10 years my senior. Hell, I call JESTER kiddo!

[Pagan]

Yeah, I'm not "honey, sweetie, babydoll"! I don't know these people as well as that! One woman kept calling me honey in that very condescending way some people use when talking to somebody younger than them. Well, I happened to need to see her driver's license. Check this out, she was ten years younger than me! As far as I'm concerned, we are both here to conduct business. Those kind of endearments have no place in a business setting.


OT - I still get carded occasionally (I'm 37, ug!), but it doesn't seem to happen as often now that I've switched to glasses!

[Mighty Girl]

It totally infuriates me when people call me honey or sweetie. I don't care who it is- if it isn't a blood relative or my husband, don't call me that. And, what also ticks me off is when someone addresses me by name- but shortens it into a nickname. I'm talking about strangers, pharmacists, waiters, etc. They read my name- for example- Elizabeth- and call me Liz.

[Bella_Vixen]

It totally infuriates me when people call me honey or sweetie. I don't care who it is- if it isn't a blood relative or my husband, don't call me that. And, what also ticks me off is when someone addresses me by name- but shortens it into a nickname. I'm talking about strangers, pharmacists, waiters, etc. They read my name- for example- Elizabeth- and call me Liz.

Mighty, I feel your pain. I hate hate HATE being called Liz, but tolerate it from family. Anyone else? Hell no.