Colloquialism of terms of endearment

[paloftoon]

Hey when people call another person "dear" or "honey", would you expect that to only be used between couples, dating, or parent-to-child relationships?

I have not met this person in-person, only online.

 

[Mia]

Have seen this online on occasion paloftoon it's usually an older person using the appellation in a kind manner. As a rule of terms though it's used as a sort of endearment with friends or family. Have also seen it used in a restraining or repressive manner as in; Well dear, that may be your opinion but it's not mine.

 

[Judge]

Hey when people call another person "dear" or "honey", would you expect that to only be used between couples, dating, or parent-to-child relationships?

I have not met this person in-person, only online.

Not necessarily. I've heard such things from total strangers at one time or another all my life. Though admittedly it's not something I ever encountered north of the Potomac River. Older people seem more prone to this than younger ones.

But it sometimes leaves me feeling icky when such terms are used by complete strangers in the most casual of circumstances. Especially if they're considerably younger than I am. Though I'm ok with it if heard from someone I'm somewhat familiar with over time.

 

[garnetflower13]

When I lived in the South, I was annoyed at having this endearment used at me by people half my age. It came across as condescending, IMO. Those terms should only be used by people that one is familiar with or in a relationship with.

 

[paloftoon]

Thank you for all your responses. That helps a lot. I will let the person know not to use those kind of terms the next time we speak unless we truly become that friendly. He has definitely been unintentionally inappropriate, all things considered.

This person calling me dear is about 10 years younger than me, and I "met" this person through a dating app. The term is not being used in a repressive manner, only positively. It seems quite inappropriate to me, at least for American culture.

This person has an accent, I would guess French, but I can't really tell.

Are there any cultures or translations that people are aware of where it is okay to say "dear" or such an equivalent to a stranger or someone they are meeting for the first time?

 

[Catlover614]

Hey when people call another person "dear" or "honey", would you expect that to only be used between couples, dating, or parent-to-child relationships?

I have not met this person in-person, only online.

Yes! I, for one, wouldn't expect to hear the words "dear" or "honey" spoken by mere online acquaintances.

 

[Ronin82]

It's pretty common in the South of the U.S. Used a little flirtatiously by waitresses, or bartenders. I've learned not to take it personally as its a regional thing, but I'm not especially comfortable saying things like that myself...

 

[superawesomeme]

Here in the UK most terms of endearment can be used in different contexts to different people, just by adjusting the tone of the voice.

Spouse/partner - "Honey, could you get me a drink while you're up?"

Friend - "Hey honey, how are you? It's been ages!"

Child - "There you go honey, can you see the tigers now?"

Stranger (more likely to be said to or by an older person to show respect) - "Aww you're a honey, thank you!"

Stranger (patronising) - "Honey, they're called skinny jeans for a reason! Just saying."

 

[paloftoon]

I could see how such a term could be innocent now. But in the context of dating or potential dating, there are implied rules that could make something inappropriate that might otherwise be appropriate. Thank you for clarification on this issue all.

 

[Rayner]

I live in a region that it's not unheard of for me to be called "honey" or "sweetie" by a cashier or waiter, general they are women old enough to be my mother.

I will sometime call my girlfriend honey or sweetie, Kelly will also call me honey or sweetie too.

Hey when people call another person "dear" or "honey", would you expect that to only be used between couples, dating, or parent-to-child relationships?

I have not met this person in-person, only online.