I love my boyfriend very much indeed and wouldn't dream about splitting up over something minor, however he has a very bad habit or problem... basically he is far too easily influenced by his mates, I feel sometimes that he wants to be just like them, and act like them etc, he has a geeky side but he hides that from his friends, as if an act to look cool, when deep down he is a bit geeky like me. Some people have also said he is a bit manipulative and patronising, I sometimes know what they mean but I feel its something he perhaps doesn't realise he is doing.

I realise I have made him sound bad, and created a bad picture, its not like that at all, but does anyone have any ideas how I could try and help him subtly. He's always said to me be yourself don't try to be someone else, yet I feel he wants to be someone else. I want to help him, it annoys me but I couldn't end it just because of that.

ALSO he is always calling me babe, hun, lovely, gorgeous, sexy, beautiful etc, can anyone help me out as I never know what to call him. Not sure if lads like being called nice and gorgeous and beautiful etc.

Thanks guys!

Baby is all right I reckon, beautiful... no, maybe handsome.

I feel the best way in your situation is to tell him straight up that you believe he is being influence by peer pressure, to be someone you do not see unless he is around his friends. Explain that friends that don't like him for who he is are not friends in the first place.

Call him what you feel is comfortable, be yourself, babe, baby, hun, sweetie, cutie, handsome. Some I use, but use words that suit you and him... He won't care what you call him, if he loves you than he just wants to be around you.