I hate it when people call me sweetie. It always comes off as condescending.

I'm from the Midwest, and it happens frequently. It doesn't bother me at all.

Sure, I'd let him. Then I'd call him "cupcake" or "lover doll" in reply.

Re: the headline -

In short: DEAR GOD, YES!

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, but I suppose context is everything.

I dunno, I think this is rather inconsequential on the whole.

In the UK it's mostly 'love', it's definately regional, and I hate it.

I grew up all over the place as a military kid and hate it when men say "sweetie." If it's another woman, it may be ok, as long as it's not condescending. I also hate "little lady," which I still hear occasionally here in Texas.

I don't like it. I also don't like being "ma'am"d. I'm young enough to be a miss, thank you very much!

i think it really depends on the context. i'm from the south as well, and very used to being called various terms of endearment from complete strangers. and its actually kind of nice!

but if it was said to me in the least bit a condescending manner, id be PISSED.

And he loves his wife for her vulnerability.

No, thank you. For the millionth time.

CRINGE-WORTHY for sure. And I go on about how this is another example of his arrogance, but I dont want to start a war.

Whoops, I guess I just did.

it totally depends on who it's coming from. Sometimes I am horribly offended, sometimes I find it endearing.

@ineffable.me: Agreed. I particularly hate it when strangers do it.

Yeah, it is kind of condescending, but it also shows that you like and care about the person. Like, my dad might call me sweetie, or I might call my little sister that.

It suffers from a creepy-old-man-ass-grabbing connotation, but I actually find it kind of endearing.

It's incredibly insulting.

@ineffable.me: every now and then an older woman can say it me - like a colleague maybe - and I think it's endearing then. But yeah, most of the time, hate it.

@girlreporter: Yeah, I agree with you here. It doesn't bother me when women do it, but when men do it I guess I do feel a little uncomfortable. It's usually older ladies who call me things like "sweetie". I don't think they really do it with the intent of being condescending.

@BadenBaden: Uh, yup. I don't let anyone call me sweetie. It's rude, it's sexist and it's unwelcome unless your my husband. And even with him it's too fucking sugary for me.

What was the context of "sweetie?" Did he just say "hey there, sweetie" or did she offer him her candy bar and he said, "Aren't you a sweetie!"? Not that it makes it less condescending.

Not at the risk of looking like a cupcake.

At least he didn't say it to Hillary...

@kierabs: well I think we're talking about non-family members though. My mom calls me sweetie all the time. But when a stranger does it, or a politician, or someone hitting on you at a bar, it's not cool.

I am from the Midwest as well and don't have a problem with it.

I'm in the South. Offensive.

Happens to me all the damn time around here, so I don't even notice anymore, if I ever noticed at all. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

However, I don't like it when other women call me endearments, unless they're my mom's age or older. Another woman my same age calls me sweetie and I think she's being a bitch.

I hate getting "sweetie" and I'm a waitress! But the headline does sound appealing. (Different context...)

I'm in the South and I think it's fine. Everyone is sweetie here, or sweets. Or hon.

I don't mind it, it's kind of endearing, but I grew up in the Midwest and everyone is overly nice most of the time. As for the question, yes, as long as I got to call him 'lovah' in return.

the rule is to call people names like that when they are your peers and you have an actual relationship with them. otherwise it comes off as condescending.

I call everyone sweetie, but only because I like to pretend I'm on Ab-Fab.

@beastybeatsy: ooo, I kind of want to be called "love" - I just like British accents I suppose

@beastybeatsy: Although one time, when I threw up in a public place in the U.K., an employee brought me a glass of water and called me love, and I appreciated it. That really has nothing to do with anything, but I think of the word fondly for that reason.

It depends on who is saying it. My old uncle? Cute. My mom when I am crying? great. But from him, its a little gross. Also because this is not the first time I've noticed he's seemed a little condescending to women. Especially his closing comment when he was on the View. Maybe he doesn't realize it comes off that way, but I'd have been a smartass to him if it were me.

I am from NY and live in LA. I call lots of people Sweetie and Honey. I am not bothered by it when someone calls me sweetie, unless it seems condescending.

Personally, I hate that Obama thinks charming women is the way to get their vote. I'd much rather be taken seriously. Fine with flirtation as long as it follows respect. There's something unseemly to me about all the fawning about; let's just make sure our candidate has our best interests at heart (including economic, political, civil/individual rights, etc.)

It is condescending, but it rankles me WAAAAY more if a man calls me sweetie.

Um, if it's not my mom, and I'm not 5-years-old, no thanks. Completely condescending from a politician to a grown woman.

sigh no one ever calls me nice things so I definitely wouldn't mind.

I only don't mind so long as it is a waitress calling me sweetie.

In the south, it's the standard. Not at all a diminutive. Dear, honey, honeycakes, sweetie, etc. All from total strangers, just meant as friendly.

My Dad calls me sweetie. I made the mistake once of telling the boy I liked it, probably because it was the first endearing term he used. Then I realized my Dad calls me that and it started weirding me out when the boy used it. But I'm stuck, I can't get him to stop.

Isn't this kind of like having a guy open the door for you, or stand up when you come to the table? Some find it condescending or antiquated, some find it charming. To each her own, I think.

@BadenBaden: Especially when it's all three!

i've been called it and didn't think twice b/c it was nice/sincere, and i've also heard it used condescendingly... but i have a reallllly hard time imagining he was being condescending?.

I don't like being called sweetie by anyone other than my sweetie.
But, in certain moments of trying to be nice, I have been known to slip up and use apparent diminutives (sweetie, honey, etc) normally reserved for Mr.seized.
So, I don't like that Obama said it, but since he doesn't seem to do it often, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt this time.

Unless you're a member of my family, or sleeping with me, "sweetie" is *not on*. And even if you are sleeping with me, I'd still prefer not.

In the Northwest and I hate it normally, especially if the man is in a position of power.

However, in the case of the Big O, he can call me sweetie, anytime.

Context is a big factor. "Sweetie" or "hon" is offensive when it's representative of a power differential, or when it's used to marginalize or placate a justifiably angry woman.

That said, I'd wager most people who use diminutives like those aren't intentionally trying to keep the woman down. If it offends you, let the speaker know. If they persist, then you've got a problem.

Honestly, depending on my mood I probably wouldn't have been truly offended, but I've got to ask- What's the male equivalent of 'sweetie'? The gender-neutral 'Honey'? Would he have called a male employee that? Of course not. What if a boss type had called him 'boy' in an affectionate manner?

I'm a midwesterner and I hate it coming from strangers. If a family member uses it, that's a different story.

The only people who can call me Sweetie are my family. Sweetie is a childhood nickname my Dad gave me.

As an adult, I will not be called sweetie by a non family member. Ever.

I get called sweetie all the time and the context tends to matter a whole lot to me. Some of my clients call me sugar every other word, but frankly, it doesn't bug me because they're usual 95 and actually mean it. The times it does bug me is when it's another doctor calling in and bitching about something we've done that calls me sweetie, like I'm an idiot. THAT is when I wanna smack a bitch.

Context. If I were called sweetie by a superior in a professional setting, I would be hugely offended. If the check out girl/boy calls me "mami" (and mine does) I love it. If some old guy on the subway calls me sweetie, it's okay, too. I call people "sweetie" or "honey' all the time. Parallel-level co-workers (or friends at work), friends, if someone has said something nice to me i will call them "sweetie" or something. But I wouldn't say it in a professioanl setting, with someone I didn't know, or, say, if I were running for president and women tend to be voting more for the other candidate...

@ToniRockyhorror: Hahaha.

It depends on the way it's said, I guess. When I was a waitress in college, I found myself slipping up and calling people sweetie and hon all the damn time, and I NEVER call people sweetie and hon. It was usually aimed at high school age girls, I guess. Like if they needed a refill on their soda, I'd say, "Sure, hon."

I worked at a real mom and pop diner type place, so EVERYONE was sweetie and hon and darlin'. I guess it's just seeps in after a while.

When I'm called sweetie by older