HEY BABE!! DON'T CALL ME SWEETIE!!

If you read my profile, you will know that I am 30-years-old. I don't want to be boast but I've been around the block a few times. I don't pretend to have wisdom beyond my years but I will admit that for 30-years old, I'm well-educated, well-cultured and well-rounded. With that being said, there is nothing more condescending, patronizing or more irking to me then a female younger then me calling me "sweetie." This is particularly bothersome when its a person I don't know.

After taking a minor survey at work today, I have come to notice that my co-workers also don't like being called sweetie by anyone other than their husbands. Since I work with all ladies (I know I'm lucky), they mentioned that they feel uncomfortable being called sweetie by both sexes. Obviously I only have to worry about it coming from women but Elton John can call me whatever he wants:) I digress.

Here is where this seemingly harmless word comes into play. It is prevelent when some high school gal is bagging my groceries or college aged girl is waiting on my table at a restaurant or some young professional sees me at a professional gathering. I don't want to be holier than thou but my feeling is that a younger women calling me sweetie makes me feel I'm being talked down to or they are acting like my mom. I don't think I'm alone in this thought. While campaigning for President, Barack Obama, a person I greatly admire, respect and look up too, called a reporter "sweetie." There was no ill intent but he realized its offensiveness and later I apologized. http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/obama_apologizes_to_sweetie.html

I will say one other thing pertaining to this matter. I don't like younger men calling me dude. Once again I don't want to sound like a snob but there is verbal understanding that "dude" is reserved for younger kids much like "champ," "sport," and "pal." Once again I am being a hypocrite as we refer to my grandfather as "The Grandude" but placing the word "The" in front makes him sound as the only Granddude thus making less about the word itself and more about our respect for his being. But I would not refer to him simply as "dude."

I know I'm knitpicking but I think everyone can associate with my pet peeve. Right? I suppose things could be worse. I guess the supermarket cashier could say "Heres your milk schmuck."