Community Chat

[Leu]

I'd prefer 'hon' over "Ma'am" any day. 

I think people who do this tend to be more demonstrative in general. Like how some people are huggers and some aren't. In general there's no offense meant by it, so I let it roll of me like water off a duck's back.

[SunValley]

I guess being called Hon or Dear is better than "you there" or "hey you" which I have heard a time or two. If the greeting is delivered without condescension or malice, it doesn't bother me. I have been called Hon before when it was meant to remind me I was working in a man's world, and I was plenty riled up. I have also been called Hon by a hard working waitress or pleasant supermarket checker and I took no offense at all.

[september]

I've been called this, as well as other terms that some people think are derogatory.  (Like ma'am).  I look at the intent of the person using the word.....   99 times out of 100....I think they're being good, but imperfect, people.  

I think we need to give others some slack and stop nit picking.  

[Evie2004]

@151949..agree, where I am from, "hon", "sweetie", "darlin" can be a term of endearment..I was guilty of using one of them many times in my years as a nurse..if I offended anyone, they never mentioned it to me..actually, seems I hear "darlin" a lot in the south.

I don't feel it is used much anymore, but I would not be offended, for sure..

[GCR18]

 I don't think I've been called that.  I seem to get ma'am lately.  Not too crazy about that.

[september]

I don't mind if I'm called ma'am, but it seems to be getting replaced with miss more often.  I was actually called miss twice today by Costco employees.  

[SunValley]

Ma'am is used to address royalty and has historically been a respectful form of address in the south, and still is in the military. I am not sure why this would seem derogatory other than I have heard some women say that it makes them feel old, but I would not find it rude to be addressed as ma'am.

[occasionalrain]

I dislike terms of endearment from those close to me; my husband knows better than to call me by any of them. However, I'm not going to make an issue out of a waitress, checker, etc who means well. The thought of reporting someone who is working for low wages, doing their job and, G forbid, speaks unprofessionally is just plain mean and, to me, unconscionable. 

[Noel7]

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@YorkieonmyPillow wrote:

It's okay with me, I think it's sweet...........

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@YorkieonmyPillow

Me, too.  The first time a waitress called me Hon, I was in my 20s and traveling through Nevada with DH.  She was sweet, friendly and fun.  

It has never bothered me, every time it's been said to me, the person has meant well.  

[Katcat1]

If you don't like being called Hun then you need to say something to the person.  I heard it a lot in the hospital when I had surgery and was admitted for a few days.  I picked it up and it's just a friendly term.  When you hear it enough, you pick it up so watch out as you may be using it too!