Arkansas Blog

On the other hand, a few years ago, I was chewed out for persisting unconsciously in addressing a friend who is somewhat older than I as Ma'am. Sorry, but I was raised southern, and I'm also likely to use the term even when addressing those who are much younger than I: No, ma'am; Yes, ma'am; Ma'am? (I did make a conscious effort to avoid using it with my friend from that point on.)
I suppose I'm getting up there too, although under most circumstances, that thought never occurs to me. When servers address me as honey or sweetie, I dont take especial notice of it. ASk me in a few years.

I'm an old fart and haven't particularly noticed that I'm being baby-talked to.

At any rate, I prefer the "honey" and "sweetie" and "hon" other southernisms from service people to being ignored or treated rudely by wait staff or others.

ARK. BLOG: There's the acceptable "sweetie," in the Southern form of address you find among veteran servers who are edging to sernior status themselves. Then there's the sweetie pie and slow enuniciation and hand on shoulder by a 19-year-old. You know the difference if you experience it.

Hell, I'm so happy when I finally get to see the doctor that I don't care if she calls me "sweetie", "John" or "Mr Jones"

If I did care though, I would express my preference and I suspect she would respect that.

You know you are getting old when waitresses, etc., refer to you as "honey," sweetie," "darlin'," "sugar," and "dear."

Heck, I AM old and love to be called "honey," sweetie," "darlin'," "sugar," and "dear." But here's what I don't like (nay, destest): A 23-year-old TV reporter (usually on local newscasts) doing a feature story on a 95-year-old in a nursing home (or wherever) and repeatedly referring to the subject as "Ethel" or "Floyd" or "Ruby" as though the featured one was 2nd grader.

While I agree that using a title for an "elder" shows respect, I think you be wrong to assume that most senior citizens would prefer that.

Many do.

In that case, mudturtle, the young whippersnapper of a reporter should point out that the elderly Ethel Whomever prefers to be called Ethel.

In such a case, mudturtle, the young whippersnapper of a reporter should point out that the elderly Ethel Whomever prefers to be called Ethel.

Well, pith and thit, too. I am thorry about the double potht. Thought the firtht 'un didn't "take."

The last time one tried that with me in the hospital (06) I asked her age, 26, says she. I reminded her my French racing bicycle is 3 yrs older than her and I have neckties older than her too.

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