https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:53:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336598 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:23:03 +0000 Barbara 336598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MaryK, 'dear' is better than 'hon' but not much!</p> <p>LOL. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336577 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:36:57 +0000 MsMary 336577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will say that I cringe when my hubby calls a service person "Dear." I've mostly broken him of it, but it still pops out from time to time. Ugh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336564 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:52:47 +0000 Barbara 336564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>biscuitsmom, even southern charm has its limits! My accent is so thick you could cut it with a knife. LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336471 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:41:07 +0000 biscuitsmom 336471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I often worked next a lady who was born here in Mn, lived in Alabama for a few years and although she'd been back in Mn for 7-8 years her southern accent grew stronger all the time! Especially around men! lol.. She would call *every* customer 'honey,honeybunch, darling, sweetie, sweetie-pie, cutie, cutie-pie, handsome, etc' I would listen to a steady stream of this for 7 hours-aagghh! Still gives me a headache thinking of it-lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336464 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:20:51 +0000 Barbara 336464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, morethanbeige and MaryK! </p> <p>I must have been feeling somewhat caffeine deprived and prickly that day....which is very rare for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-336049 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:36:58 +0000 MsMary 336049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am sometimes irked and sometimes not, by a variety or terms of endearment or familiarity. It has more to do with me and my mood than the intent of the speaker, which is almost always benign.</p> <p>If I am feeling particulary prickly, I might respond to "Hi, Hon!" with "Hello, Doll!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335996 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:03:15 +0000 morethanbeige 335996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy when almost any woman uses a term of endearment toward me. I just figure its a cultural thing and they mean it in a nice way. It's different when a guy does that. Then it can feel sleezy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335984 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:46:41 +0000 Barbara 335984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Inge, I agree completely.</p> <p>I am not a fan of using first names in any business environment. It's much too casual and definitely informal. </p> <p>Unless someone REALLY knows me, they should not use my first name! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335894 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:44:16 +0000 Inge 335894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand why some of you are a bit bothered by certain terms, in general I'm pretty easygoing, so I don't really mind. Because English isn't my first language, I actually find it kind of quirky when I hear someone being addressed as "dear" or "love" or "sweetie" (on tv or irl).</p> <p>What I still find strange is the following: about ten years ago my bank apparently adapted a new nationwide policy. Since then they address all their customers by their first names. Everytime I hear someone say (even new employees that don't know me at all, or employees at another branch etc.) "can I help you with something, Inge?", I do think "uh isn't that a tad too informal"... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335889 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:08:14 +0000 Barbara 335889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a matter of respect, Michelle. I guess this young gal doesn't quite get it.</p> <p>Laura, I have super short hair but haven't been called sir. That's kind of scary! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335744 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:28:27 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 335744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, at least you didn't get called 'sir' or 'man', like I was several times when I had very short hair. *rolls eyes* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335631 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:12:00 +0000 Michelle 335631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How bizarre! I'd definitely be put off by that, too, as "dear' is one of those terms I associate either with my grandmother or scuzzy men who are just being sleezy. Ditto for hon and babe (at least on the scuzzy man front). Like Mac, I call everyone sir or ma'am . It's just more respectful. As Barbara says, though, perspective is key -- at least she wasn't actively trying to be rude! If I used dear, chances are I'm annoyed, since I really only use it in a sarcastic context (the second floor is upstairs, dear). :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335611 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:54:54 +0000 Barbara 335611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You ladies are fab! Thanks for all the excellent advice and humor. I REALLY needed that! </p> <p>I'm just glad I didn't say anything to that teller, even though it made me feel OLD and not too fab. It was NOT her intention to be rude and I knew that..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335530 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:53:29 +0000 Mac 335530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dislike anyone besides my close loved ones calling me "hon" or "dear" or "love." It feels far too familiar. However, 99% of the time, I realise that the person addressing me as such means no malice, and so I grit my teeth and smile because at the end of the day, I save my true rancour for people who are rude on purpose. I usually address others as "sir" or "ma'am" or "miss" most of the time, and I receive a LOT of negative feedback for this; sometimes folks think I'm making fun of them (Toronto is not a very formal place) or tell me, "I'm not old enough to be "sir." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50/page/2#post-335448 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:38:18 +0000 biscuitsmom 335448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Barbara, thanks! Makes me feel better LOVE hearing all the responses...you *people* are SO great! I think a 'snippy' tone would irk anyone! It sure does me..aaggh! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335441 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:23:36 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 335441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too funny!</p> <p>In Cornwall, in the UK, it's 'my lover' or 'me handsome' (imagine a West Country accent if you know what that is). For any age, I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335436 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:18:22 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 335436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love being called ma'am...harkens back to the days of good manners, imo.</p> <p>I also admit to calling people "hon" (including men!) but I chalk that up to being an often sleep deprived mother of two, and that is my default term of endearment for them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335405 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:19:16 +0000 Patty 335405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fierce sounds gooood!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335385 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:51:16 +0000 Barbara 335385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heather, you are a hoot! </p> <p>I'm glad I finally put everything back in perspective. I think I may have overreacted because of coffee deprivation.</p> <p>Patty and Gingko, I'd love to post a pic of THAT outfit, but my best friend just borrowed my hot pink tunic to take to Europe - she's leaving tomorrow. </p> <p>I'll try to post something fierce, soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335099 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:06:59 +0000 CK 335099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL, Heather! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335093 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:01:45 +0000 Heather 335093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A Lit professor in college reminded my class once:</p> <p>Every female is a woman, but not every female is a lady. ;D</p> <p>Cindy: I think 'dude' just spills out of me--familiar or unfamiliar. As does 'yes, ma'am.' I have 'yes ma'amed' some pretty important men before. LOL. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335081 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:41:21 +0000 Barbara 335081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I never realized my post would get this much response! I don't have a problem with Ma'am, but I'll have to admit I get a kick out of being called 'Miss'.</p> <p>But it's usually someone older than me that says it.</p> <p>LOL.</p> <p>Thanks for all of the great input, ladies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335066 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:20:45 +0000 CK 335066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's all a question of context. I don't think it's hypersensitive to expect a greater level of respect in a business situation than to be called "hon" or "dear." I really doubt a man would be called those terms in most cases.</p> <p>Heather, I use dude all the time, LOL! With my friends - not people I don't know, which is how I imagine you use it, too. :-)</p> <p>For the record, I don't mind "ladies", and my group of friends (all 30 and 40 somethings) refers to ourselves as "the girls" - but I probably wouldn't refer to a group of women I didn't know that way because I know some people don't care for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335064 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:18:35 +0000 Patty 335064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always used 'Guys" as a generic term for folk but one day I addressed a couple office ladies at work with--"hey have you *guys* seen that blah blah blah..." The skirts didn't like the term "guys' at all so I rephrased---"so have you *dolls* seen blah blah blah...." They didn't get the reference. I doubt they'd like being called *skirts* either but...LOL.</p> <p>Singing~~~~Luck be a lady tonight~~~ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335059 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:10:40 +0000 Ginkgo 335059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Generally I'm pretty easygoing but I don't care for "dear" in the situation you described, especially if she was a bit snippy. "Dear" from a much younger person seems to equal doddering. But unlike 99% of the rest of the population I have no problem with being called ma'am. The term, "miss", to me is for young girls who are still in college or dependent on their parents; it certainly isn't applicable to independent women in their late 20s let alone women in their 40s or 50s. However, I seem to be the only one who feels like this! Recently my 89 yr. old mother was addressed as miss by a waiter -- they both laughed! </p> <p>Barbara, please post your outfit! As an aging but still slender ma'am, I'm intrigued by skinnies but worried about my age (57). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335040 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:45:08 +0000 Queen Mum 335040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no problem with any of the terms of endearment, but I think in the setting Barbara described (a bank) the tellers need to be using terms of respect with the customers. Something about a bank seems very different to me than a grocery store of restaurant.<br /> I would definitely stop and pause if a bank teller young enough to be my daughter called me hon, dear, or sweetie, as I'm standing there depositing a check. Something about that just seems off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335036 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:39:46 +0000 Aziraphale 335036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Taylor, the "ladies" aversion is just a weird quirk with me. I don't think it's normally offensive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335033 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:35:22 +0000 taylor 335033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am also over 50 and have been called everything from madame to miss...one sounds very old the other quite young. I don't take any of it personal.<br /> Such things really don't bother me. I also address a group of women...friends or strangers : with a smile and a "Hi ladies" how could that be offensive?<br /> It seems people are just hypersensitive...no wonder people don't speak to one another or even say excuse me as they walk by...might offend I guess.<br /> Heather, I would adore you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335031 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:34:09 +0000 Aziraphale 335031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm uncomfortable with "girls," too. But I'm also uncomfortable with "ladies," perhaps because of the class system connotation? I'm not sure. Whenever I hear "ladies," a little voice in my head goes "I ain't no #@&amp;!ing lady!" I've noticed that people use it liberally and with respect on this forum, so I've caved a few times and used it.</p> <p>Normally I fall back on "gal" as the feminine equivalent of "guy." It's not perfect, but it's the best I can think of. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/terms-of-endearment-for-fashionistas-over-50#post-335029 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:31:51 +0000 Heather 335029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh dear. I am guilty of all sorts of terms. I don't say hon or sweetie though. Ma'am, Sir, Dear, Ladies, Lady, Girl, Oh Grrrrrrrl, Dude, Gal, Peeps, Folks, Turbo, Kid, Invader,....oh, my list is lengthy. Yes, Ma'am is heavily used to all ages--you all would HATE me in person.</p> <p>In all honesty, I don't think people are being condescending, but you are certainly entitled to be annoyed by it. </p>