I am weirded out ...

[ORChick]

As far as kids talking to adults I was taught that my parents friends were Mr or Mrs or Miss + their last name. I was talking about this to a friend not long ago. Her mother told me years ago that I should use her first name; I wasn't a child anymore. But I still find it hard, even now at 59! She was my mother's friend, and I've known her since I was 6. My friend, her daughter, said the same; if my parents were still alive she would have a very hard time referring to them by first name.
I have a problem with what children should call me; my married name is a weird German one, and, while not difficult to pronounce, it is different enough to be odd; most adults don't get it right. So "Mrs. H********" is a hard lesson to teach children who haven't already learned it from their parents. I also have an unusual first name, but easier than the last, so I usually go with that, though I don't really like it. Well, my own fault I guess for marrying the man I did

ETA: Clarification: I like my first name just fine; what I'm not fond of is children using it to address me. But fighting it is like trying to turn the tide, and I have learned to adjust.

 

[sunsaver]

I only use "sugar", "honey", or "sweetheart" on close friends who i have a long history with. It always creeps me out when some stranger calls me or some one else "sweetie", "hun", or "sugar". Old dudes calling young waitresses "sweetie" really freaks me out. This is a restaurant, not the Playboy mansion. It's like sharing dinner with a pervert. Usually some filthy rich lawyer, politician or preacher. The Feds just love coming down here to arrest our corrupt mayors and sheriffs. Welcome to the south, y'all!

 

[abifae]

Half my customer call me sweetie or honey. I don't mind. It means I sound really young and they're less likely to yell at me

And in person, if a customer calls me sweetie or honey, I angle for a bigger tip.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

My stepkids call me by my first name, so it's hard for me to think of myself as anything but Katie. I told one of DSS's friends to call me Mrs. ____, and it felt so weird! I guess I"m just used to having kids call me by my first name.

 

[sunsaver]

That porkbelly better give you a bigger tip, abifae, or i'm gonna walk over there and bust him in his chops!

 

[abifae]

It's part of being a girl to wiggle it at guys for tips. *shrugs* But I'm glad to be out of the food business.

I actually get hon and sweetie more from females on calls than males.

 

[sunsaver]

It's all just part of the biz. I just hate eating in the same room with THAT GUY who eats out for every meal, and has an empty kitchen at home. The arrogance and huge ego of these loud talking mouth breathers can turn my stomach. That and the poor quality of the food. I prefer my own gourmet cooking these days. None of our local restaurants can hold up to my demanding standards.

 

[abifae]

Ditto. *laughs*

I cook better than any place I can afford to go.

 

[old fashioned]

Years ago I fell into the habit of calling others 'hun', no matter if m/f, older/younger, authority or not. Most don't seem to mind or atleast don't say anything about it. Once in a great while I'm told otherwise and I respect that...or atleast try...some habits are hard to break.

As for what others have called me....most use my first name, kids at church 'Ms (first name), neighbor kids usually say 'so&so's Mom', others say Mrs...... or ma'am & that's when I feel but it also kinda depends on their attitude. I don't feel so bad when I can tell it's something they were raised with & show respect 'as a person' vs showing respect to 'elder'. Then of course there are those that say it with a touch of sarcasm & that's when I want to

 

[Wannabefree]

Of all the things I've been called...ma'am suits me just fine