Not that old

I've been called "Sweetie".
While at the gym lifting weights, I stood up to move to the next set; turned took a step, and a 20 something girl bumped me and said those dreaded words "excuse me sweetie".
Nobody under the age of 90 should be a sweetie; (unless you're 1).
I guess the thing that strikes me is that I may be getting older, but don't feel it. But sometimes when I glance in the mirror I'm "surprised" to see an older person. I'm 55, how old to I feel, I don't know, but I do know I'm not ready to be called Sweetie!
**Jo

Jo,
I hear you! The women in my family all wrinkle like prunes, but I was OK with it until a stranger thought my husband's sister - only a few years younger than me - was my daughter. I was devastated, but fought back by changing my hairstyle and getting new clothes. I keep telling myself: have fun! It's great that you are keeping in shape by going to the gym. I'm taking the easy route: gentle walks and energetic gardening. If we get some more snow (only a couple of inches, yet) I'll be out snow-shoeing. I don't mind being called "Sweetie", but I hate hearing "Mam". Anyone who calls me "Miss" is my friend for life.
June

Hi Jo,

I hear you, too!

I've noticed the 'sweetie' and 'honey' stuff coming from younger girls
is, for the most part, a cliquey thing. A social thing. Mind you, I'm sure
there are many women out there who use the words, but coming from
someone fresh out of their teens, it sounds funny.

Another funny thing with younger women, though this was several years
ago. When you have kids of differing ages and you have your youngest
with you, then a young mother with a child, obviously under the impression
you are an older first time mother, says to you "Wait until he
begins walking / talking (fill in the blank.) I used to laugh and think to
myself, "Yeah, sweetie, you just wait until yours begins driving."

Bwa ha ha!

I've been called sweetie and I'm a guy. I think it has to do with how people talked that you grew up around or regional.

You can call me Sir

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO! Miss June

Don

Don,
Thank you, young man.

June

I’m 55 overweight, gray haired and a big flirt. I call all the guys here at work Sweetie and Honey. ”Hey there Big Guy bring me some muscles please”. Is commonly heard. I work in a warehouse with a group of men. They know I’m harmless and I know they love it. Wouldn’t do it to a stranger. Excuse me Sir……

You know you're getting old when you hope they card you when you're buying wine...
I miss those days. *sigh*
Haven't gotten a "sweetie" yet, though.

I'm old enough to know that if they are lucky they will find out someday. Always surprises me that the younger set haven't figured out that this is were they are headed, too. I’m talking about the 20 something’s, once they hit 30 it starts to sink in and the teenagers are just a bunch of raging hormones.

I was never carded so I missed out on that compliment.

So would you rather be called sweetie or ma'am? I know a lot of women that don't like that.

Wow.. Last time I heard a discussion like this, everyone older was complaining that all the younger folks wouldn't even say "excuse me".

We can't win for losing, I tell ya ... 28 years old, and fighting a losing battle ... if I say nothing, I'm just "the rude younger generation". If I say "excuse me, ma'am / sir", the response is always somethign like, "please don't call me ma'am / sir, I'm not that old"... If I say "excuse me, dear/sweetie/honey", I get scolded for that. Gee whiz... It doesn't "sink in" at 30, neither. It sinks in at any particular age when the parents start acting like parents and demand that the children "respect their elders".

All said in fun, of course... It is just so confusing to be younger! I wanna get old, too! Oh, no! Wait! No I don't!

Well said Angel, Did a good job at standing up for your generation. I can't argue with a thing you said Sweetie. LOL ;} Holly

I never got carded until I owned a bar - funny how that works.

Now I ask for senior discounts - LOL.

You can call me anything, but late for dinner.

Lets see here I remember gasoline at 19 cents a gallon. B&W television, color was a marvel.
But foremost I remember the old codgers that ranted and raved about that social security card as being away for the federal government to watch our every move " Mark my words young lad there will come a day when you will have that thing issued when you are born" I thought old turkey's what do they know. Weren't so dumb after all, or so I found out in my ripe old years.

Don

Angel, little daring sweetheart, thanks for the prespective.
All endearments are just nice-a-ties, "sweetie" was something I used to say to the old ladies (50ish) when I was 20something; now I'M the one hearing it...Time does fly.
LOL, Jo

I'm 38 and I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. I get asked regularly if they are my grandchildren. I DO have prematurely grey hair (started going grey when I was 17), but still... LOL

Angelsong, just say, "Excuse me please" that does it everytime.

I was flattered last week, I went in to get a 6 pack of beer for a get togather, and was asked for ID. I am 59, sheesh, and look most of it. Just a new store policy, LOL.

Twice now have I realized I am old. The first time was when I walked into a music store with my step son and had to turn around and leave the store because the "music" was terrible.
The other day I caught myself to my husband "If I only new then what I know now, I would have done so many things differently" Only old people say that. So I guess I am now old. However in my head I am still 18. HA
HA
~Dayna

I'm southern...everyone is Honey, Darlin or Dear...don't think the word Sweetie has ever passed my lips.

A few years ago, I took a vacation in Europe. The tour group was mostly middle-aged and retirement aged ladies, and we let our hair down and had a terrific time. We partied. Our "inner teenager" was let loose. I think we really shocked the two kids and their parents that were traveling with us! LOL.

Hey Miss!

I was never carded till I was 18 and old enough to drink. (I'd been drinking there since I was 16.)

I'll be 50 this year and feel no age. I'm a little overweight, no grey and a few wrinkles. I still believe I look better with a tan. I haven't been called Sweetie. Maybe because I look mean when I'm not smiling.

:)) Dayna, I hear you!! 18 but with the wisdom of getting old. We have it made!!!

Good thread, Jo ---

(older) sis/ kiska

This message was edited Jan 12, 2007 7:29 AM

What a great conversation! I am going to be 45 next month! The only name I can't stand is the "B" word. I know this person of the female gender that calls everyone that. I told her if she calls me that again I will show just what a Big "B" I can be and knock her to the floor....Uh not braggin but I am really a "Sweetie".
Hey AngelSong, You make a good argument. I am equally confused on the "younger" generation, My kids & friends call every one Dude!
Have a great Day; Ladies and Gentlemen(LOL)

I must be getting old. I just remembered that I've fallen twice in the last few weeks. The first time was on my walk and a grapevine tripped me. The second, I slipped on the frost on the RR tie by the drive way. I never fall! Not even on ice!

I don't mind any of the above...just don't call me Mrs. Parks,that was my MiL. Teenagers and younger adults that know me call me Miss Peggy but I think that's just a southern thing.

If someones doesn't thank me,I say "your welcome" and it's generaly prods them to say,"Oh sorry....Thank You".

My grandkids are very good about saying please,thank you,excuse me etc.

I'm almost always polite in public most specially when I have a young person with me. I hold doors,offer help when needed,will let people ahead of me in line if I have a buggy full and they only have a few items and so on. I believe it teaches my grandkids better than nagging them to be polite and helpful. I'm a true believer in teaching by my actions.

P

I don't know that politeness is an age thing or a cultural thing, I think it is inherited in the genes. Except for psychopaths, we all (and I mean all humans) have an inborn desire to help and be nice to others, don't we?. Some folks have a lot of politeness in them, others have to work at it!

Oh my ...

I'm about older than dirt .. and I've been using 'sweetie' for eons, to/for any age the individual may be. And used strictly to relay my care and/or fondness: with never any disrespect intended ..

I recall that a very few have taken somewhat of a questioning (defensive?) postion - but I think it may possibly be associated to some sort of personal negative stigma (resentment?) attached. Don't know for sure ..

With plenty of folks, it's simply a long established colloquilism at its finest. (hee)

However; 'dearie' - could be a whole nuther ball game! .. lol

- Magpye

This message was edited Jan 13, 2007 10:11 AM

I didn't mean to imply that I was disrespected by the "sweetie" comment; just that in my world "sweetie" was reserved for toddlers or the very old. I'm was just making light of the fact that as we grow older hearing things like this for the first time makes ones heart sink a bit.

I've just read this whole thread for the first time. Holly Ann, I love your comment about "It always surprises me that the younger set haven't figured out yet that this is where they are headed to."

I am 60 years old, and would not want to go back and relive my 20's, 30's 40's or 50's. Don't misunderstand me. I have had a wonderful life. A good marriage, two fabulous children to raise, a job I enjoy, no real hardships at all. Many blessings.

But I find that this is just where I want to be. Aches and all. So you can call me anything you want to. It doesn't hurt, and I won't be offended. Maybe it's just about being content with yourself and "living forward".

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/683971/

When I am with my dogs at the off leash park I often greet other dogs whose names I dont know with Hi Sweetie or Handsome or Gorgeous etc. If the owners are women they never react but if it is a man they frequently look startled and occasionally ask if I am talking to them!

carol (an over 60 grey haired female!)

((SacValley/Jo .. sure haven't meant to risk makin' anything otherwise, either.))

- Magpye

I hear Sweetie alot, but mainly said by an older person to a younger; and that's how I use it sometimes. If someone calls me "dear", I will know that I really am 51 and didn't imagine it. Around here, you're only "dear" if you're a child, or an lil' ole lady. :)

But when it comes to ma'am, that's normal here in the south. We were taught always to say yes sir or yes ma'am so I don't mind hearing it. My friends who have kids have carried that along. So, I think it really must be a southern thing, as a friend of mine who is a 'transplant' from NY, always thinks it's odd when someone addresses her that way.

Deb

I would think it is a southern thing also. I consider myself to be very respectful and I was taught to always use my manners, which I do all the time. However, I rarely use the term ma'am. I do use the term Sir. Here in California ( at least in the area I'm in) titles almost seem non-existent. The neighbors are called by their first names, by all including children. I try have started to introduce my children to others "this is Mr. Smith" and honestly Mr smith usually says oh call me Jim. So Yes I think it is a regional thing.
Dayna

It's very southern...I still say ma'am and sir and I'm 40...even if the person is of my own age or younger in some cases. I have people I grew up(elders) with that are as close as family that I still call Mr. or Mrs. It startles some because even here in Texas it isn't commen as it was in Alabama I do it out of habit.

This page is going a little sideways from where it started but that's why discussions are fun. I agree w/Dayna about less and less respect being taught. My boys started school around 1978 and the first thing they were taught is "Class let me introduce you to Jo, our classroom helper"; then "My name is Mrs. Giuseponi, but class you can call me Mrs. G because I Know it's hard to say Giuseponi,"..so now these 30 something kids are giving us the evening news calling the President of the United States, GW. So it goes.

YES! I think the President of the United States should ALWAYS be Mr. President Sir, President Bush or Former President George Herbert Walker Bush. After President Ford passed away, newspeople kept referring to Gerry Ford. HELLO PEOPLE this man was leader of the free world for a time, no one with the exception of family and personel friends has the right to use such casual language about the man. I find it distasteful and disgracefull.
Dayna
jumping off my high horse now ;)

Magpye, LOL over Dearie. I totally agree!

Nap, I too am where I want to be. When I was younger I wanted to go back. Now isn't that funny!

A younger girl in town calls everyone Hon or Babe. I couldn't get away with that.

I think I have finally found a test to see if you are considered old. LOL I am a special ed assistant and some of the students in our school just informed me of a new product that the younger generation can hear but the older generation can not hear. It is a ringtone that has a high frequency. It is found on mosquito.com. I can hear it if I put the phone up close to my ear. The other students in the classroom start complaining that the noise is loud and to turn it off. It's suppose to be used so that the students can receive phone calls during class and the teacher has no idea, then they ask to leave for the restroom to return the phone call. If you have textmessaging ability on your phone you might want to see what I am talking about. I tell my students that at least I know that I am not a dog. LOL

ROTFL!!!! Oh those youngsters!