MetaChat - I'm blushing.

Probably made his day.

posted by elizard 13 June | 13:10

so does being called "baby". .if one is on the receiving end (and not getting one's diapers changed at the time), constitute a flirt?

Just curious.

posted by danf 13 June | 13:11

Speck, men (straight ones, at least, and, probably gay ones too) love it when women call them baby, honey, sweetie, whatever. It sends a speedball of ego juice to the plaesure center that's pure emotional China White. Matter of fact, if a waitress or barmaid calls me 'honey' or 'baby,' her tip automatically goes up 10%.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 13:14

Me too!

posted by black8 13 June | 13:16

Hm. I'm wondering how representative jonmc's comments are, because lately I've had the unaccustomed urge to add 'baby' to my forms of address.

If it works like you say, Jon, I'll baby away and never look back.

posted by Miko 13 June | 13:17

I'm with jonmc on this one. Baby.

posted by agropyron 13 June | 13:20

"baby" = good
"pops" = bad

posted by Capn 13 June | 13:21

Heh, Capn, during my brief foray into single life some young broad in a bar called me "Dad." Having visible gray can be a bitch sometimes.

"Pops," is kinda cool when a young kid calls you it, and I love it when my older barfly buddies call me 'kid.' Makes me feel like I'm the newest member of an outlaw gang or something.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 13:23

Specklet, I noticed you do that all the time. I think you might have even called me baby or honey or something at the bus stop yesterday. What's up with that? I thought you were being ironic.

posted by pieisexactlythree 13 June | 13:23

"baby" = good
"pops" = bad

Also, calling people "boss" - not good.

posted by pieisexactlythree 13 June | 13:26

Why "baby" is a fine and acceptible term of address!

posted by rainbaby 13 June | 13:27

I will buck the trend here, and say I don't like it when someone calls me baby. Or sweetie, or any such thing. I always associate it with flippancy rather than tenderness. (like girls call each other "honey" when they're being insulting).

I think it's more fun to have a private term of endearment that grows out of the relationship itself.

*wanders off to the back of the room for nappy time*

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 June | 13:27

I have a strong tendency to refer to men as "lad". Dates, boyfriends, male friends, my brothers, my nephew. (Not my dad though.) Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

posted by Orange Swan 13 June | 13:29

It could simply be a matter of habit. Upon finding yourself in a comfortable place, friendly and relaxedin a conversation that is usually professional and detached, you shift into the familiar. It can be embarrassing, sure.

Back when I was working as a helpdesk supervisor, at least one (maybe two) of my operators came to me after a call, red-faced that they'd closed a better-than-usual call with "I love you" instead of the scripted "My pleasure."

posted by grabbingsand 13 June | 13:30

I think you might have even called me baby or honey or something at the bus stop yesterday.

I'm sure I did. I really DO do that all the time, and not in an ironic way. Just usually not during a semi-professional phone call!

On preview, "I love you" would have been truly worth a blush!

posted by Specklet 13 June | 13:36

Laddie. . .perhaps better than Lad. . .although I would have fun with either, being called those things.

posted by danf 13 June | 13:36

"Chief" = right out (unless ironic).

posted by Capn 13 June | 13:36

Specklet has my permission to continue to address me with terms of endearment.

posted by matildaben 13 June | 13:39

I've always wanted to be called "Peaches."

posted by JanetLand 13 June | 13:40

On the other end of the spectrum, at home I've answered the phone with "Good afternoon, [Capn] speaking, how may I help you?" and tried to dial 9 to get an outside line.

posted by Capn 13 June | 13:41

Among my friends, "biznatch" is a term of endearment

posted by pieisexactlythree 13 June | 13:42

I had a friend who worked at a hostel, whose co-worker would always sign faxed reservation confirmations with, "Love, [name]." He seemed completely unable to understand why this wasn't professional.

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:43

Capn, during my retail daze, I did that all the time.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 13:44

"Chief" = right out

Amen. Particularly from fratboy waiters in suburban eateries.

posted by grabbingsand 13 June | 13:46

How did you know he was cute over the phone?

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 13:46

I always had a fondness for 'Hoss,' as a term of address. Perhaps I've watched too many Bonanza reruns. "Buddy," and "Mate," (the latter only from genuine British Isles natives, please) are great, too.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 13:52

so please call me baby
where ever you are
it's too cold to be out walking in the streets
we do crazy things when we're wounded
everyone's a bit insane
I don't want you catching your death of cold
out walkin in the rain.

posted by Capn 13 June | 13:55

I used to hate endearments in English, but didn't mind them in French. Nowadays I love getting them in any language, but I still have trouble using them in English.

posted by tangerine 13 June | 13:58

Chief = right out (unless ironic)

'Chief' always seems a little belligerent, so irony would be important there. Same for 'Mac'.

In a similarly ironic vein, I've actually been using 'Tiger' here and there. Finding it a fun one.

'Sugar' is a good weak-in-the-knees word for females. 'Sugar Baby' is an excellent variant. I don't like 'Cookie' or 'Toots', though I appreciate the attempt at retro flavor. 'Gorgeous' works well as a substitute for the same effect. 'Honey' is OK, but almost too generic. Everyone in my family calls everyone honey, so it's not so romantic to me. 'Sweetie' doesn't do much, but the full, Bogey-style 'Sweetheart' does.'Darlin', top-notch.

It seems like these generic referents are less common than they used to be -- at least when used among strangers or new acquaintances. Maybe the words have just changed -- you can now hail a stranger with 'Dude', for instance.

posted by Miko 13 June | 13:59

"Chief" = right out (unless ironic).

Anybody who calls me Chief, I call "Coach." It usually gives them a nice uncomfortable feeling.

I used to get the urge to call frieds "Mate," but it has passed. It never sounded quite right, seeing as I've got not even a hint of an Aussie accent.

And "Baby" is just fine with me, Lady.

posted by me3dia 13 June | 14:00

I like 'Cookie,' and 'Toots.' 'Fella,' is great for little kids, and 'Homes,' 'Bro,' and 'Dawg,' I'll accept from some folks but other people it just sounds silly from. 'Sugar,' is great, too.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 14:02

Capn -

Now I'm always gonna hear Tom Waits' voice when I read something you post, baby.

posted by rainbaby 13 June | 14:05

How did you know he was cute over the phone?

Cuz I've met in person lotsa times. One time he made a mistake in pricing, and told me he owed me a cocktail. It was almost like he was asking me out...

posted by Specklet 13 June | 14:06

There is this one female NPC in Vice City that says something when you walk past and calls you baby. I always shoot her in the face. =P

posted by weretable and the undead chairs 13 June | 14:07

I dislike being called "dude" by men. Especially men with whom I am having/have had sex.

posted by Orange Swan 13 June | 14:07

One time he made a mistake in pricing, and told me he owed me a cocktail. It was almost like he was asking me out...

Hint: He was.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 14:09

I think I'll start calling my coworkers "baby".

posted by cmonkey 13 June | 14:09

Having just finished a short run of Love's Labour's Lost, I'm trying to get out of an unfortunate habit of calling people "Sirrah."

However, I will continue to exclaim "Huzzah!" whenever the opportunity arises.

posted by grabbingsand 13 June | 14:11

Specklet and the Carpet Rep
Sittin' in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G

posted by JanetLand 13 June | 14:12

Capn - Now I'm always gonna hear Tom Waits' voice when I read something you post, baby.

Once again my internet-self manages to come off 100x cooler than my real-self. DAMN YOU INTER-CAPN! DAMN YOOOOOOOOOOU!

posted by Capn 13 June | 14:16

Shut up and take a compliment, sugar packet.

posted by rainbaby 13 June | 14:22

yes'm

posted by Capn 13 June | 14:27

I call my son "honey" and "sweetie" all the time, and totally unconsciously, to the point that he's asked me to stop it in public but I invariably forget, and then he gets annoyed with me (he's 19).

Can't help it; I think I got it from my father.

posted by jokeefe 13 June | 14:28

I call people "mate". I also have a bad habit of calling people "kiddo" which has got to be annoying. Particularly when I am younger than the person in question.

posted by gaspode 13 June | 14:31

Well, now you blew it Capn, you called me "'m" which equals "M'am" so your back to regular capn status!

posted by rainbaby 13 June | 14:31

I like 'Cookie,' and 'Toots.' 'Fella,' is great for little kids, and 'Homes,' 'Bro,' and 'Dawg,' I'll accept from some folks but other people it just sounds silly from. 'Sugar,' is great, too.
posted by jonmc 13 June | 14:02

Right on, bra
*hits bong*

posted by pieisexactlythree 13 June | 14:33

You're under arrest, sugar.
≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by porpoise 13 June | 14:40

I'm trying to get rid of the habit of calling male friends 'brother'. It started as an ironic union thing (as opposed to a pretentious faux-ghetto thing)--I also regularly called my boss 'management swine' or 'capitalist running-dog'-- but it's gotten out of hand, and now I'm not conscious of doing it. It must stop. Except for my actual brother, who I will always call 'brother'.

posted by elizard 13 June | 14:40

Mmm, Christie Love. I volunteer for a frisking, baby.

posted by jonmc 13 June | 14:43

Specklet, I had to chime in and say that I don't mind being called baby either. I think us men (except for LT anyway) are usually okay with it. Sometimes it might even make us tingly.

Capn, great quote. You are indeed a great poster.

Oh, and elizard? I have taken it upon myself to take a page from my steelworker friend and I often call other guys "brother". I like it!

Miko, Tiger is a good one, if used well, which is the only way I can imagine you using it.

My daughters are often called mutton. I can't seem to help it. I don't eat lamb as a rule by the way. Oh, and punk. I call them punk on occasion.

posted by richat 13 June | 15:07

Things I have been known to call people unconsciously, only to have it pointed out to me:

sugar
sweetie
honey
baby
love
sweetpea
pumpkin
boss
bunny
mister
mom

Things I call people (usually) on purpose:

sugarbritches
lovey
snuggle bunny
Miss Thang
p'tit chou
baby-cakes
schmoopie
poppet

So, how do I get this carpet rep to ask me out for reals?

posted by Specklet 13 June | 15:18

"sexy beast" beats "baby" from here to eternity

posted by matteo 13 June | 15:19

en iglese o italiano, paisano?

posted by jonmc 13 June | 15:22

You could mention that you apparently have an unpaid cocktail debt?

posted by richat 13 June | 15:24

So, how do I get this carpet rep to ask me out for reals?

Sounds like you're on the right track, love.

posted by me3dia 13 June | 15:25

I couldn't call you anything BUT Sexy Beast, matteo!

Maybe the next time the rep stops by my firm, I'll go find him and chitchat a little bit, and if he makes nice eye contact, say "heeeey, don't you have an unpaid cocktail debt?"

posted by Specklet 13 June | 15:33

That'd work with me. Go for it!

posted by me3dia 13 June | 15:45

Okay! Thanks, hotstuff!

posted by Specklet 13 June | 15:46

LT would like everyone here to know that Poppet or Mutton are perfectly acceptible alternatives to Tiger or Baby or anything else.

If a girl calls me Poppet or Mutton, it's on til' the break a' dawn.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 June | 16:05

*drawls "poppet", whuffles LT's ear*

posted by Specklet 13 June | 16:15

It was almost like he was asking me out...

If you'd taken him up on it, he would have been.

posted by warbaby 13 June | 16:31

Well, I did say "Heck yeah, you owe me cocktails!" But he didn't name the place or time...

posted by Specklet 13 June | 16:59

On the other end of the spectrum, at home I've answered the phone with "Good afternoon, [Capn] speaking, how may I help you?" and tried to dial 9 to get an outside line.
I used to do this all the time (except it's 0 for a line here). I solved it by not answering the phone any more.

posted by dg 13 June | 17:16

I used to talk on the phone with a vendor rep from Vancouver and he sounded so cute! Whenever the system crashed and he got flustered his Canadian accent got stronger. Mmm.

posted by halonine 13 June | 17:50

We beady eyed Canadians have an accent?

posted by porpoise 13 June | 18:08

Yep. It's caused by your head flapping around like that.

posted by Specklet 13 June | 18:38

jonmc wins. He nailed it, baby.

posted by Doohickie 13 June | 18:44

I've been assured by a number of English people that my Canadian accent isn't "that strong" and/or "that bad".

posted by Orange Swan 14 June | 11:11

13 June 2006