Originally Posted by
Aurora_Bell
I have a fb page, and I got on the subject of being called "hon" by total strangers. It irks the H.E.L.L outta me, I can NOT stand it, how do you guys feel after being called "hon" or "sweet heart" by a total stranger?
So I'm at a restaurant, the waitress is clearly younger than I, I ask for more napkins for my 4 year old and she replies with "sure thing hon". "That's it," I thought, "The last straw." I asked her if she calls everyon that, even the obviously senior citizens? She replied "yea hon, I do". I was shocked. If I ever called a teacher, parent, aunt or elder "hon" I'd have the poop smacked outta me. It's disrespectful and condescending, that's why. And patronizing. I was eating lunch with a girl friend of mine and the server kept calling us 'hon". I know my eyes would have gotten stuck in the back of my head, had that wives tale actually been true... I asked my friend, how does that make her feel? As one of the most educated people I know in our age bracket, she replied "It's so condescending, I HATE IT". Okay, so I'm not alone in thinking this. I thought maybe it's just insulting as a woman, went to my parents’ house, and asked my father (as a visible senior citizen) what he thought about being called "hon"? I should note my father is also a veteran, and obviously retired military, an under water's weapons tech to be exact. He thinks it's ridiculous to be called "hon" by a total stranger! I have heard the term used by nurses and other professional titles and while I am sure the user of the term means no disrespect, it comes across as patronizing for some. I would prefer to save the term of endearment for those close to me.