... or darling, love, baby, honey, or any other term of endearment without my permission.
That means you, bartender, you, shopkeeper, and you, the random person(s) I nod hello to when I'm walking down the street.
Terms of endearment are reserved for those who you hold dear - not for random people you meet in every day life. You might call your partner "darling" or your child "sweetheart". Why are you cheapening these terms by using them on everyone, rather than reserving them for those you are close to? Are you intending to imply that I, a stranger, am as special to you as your partner? Are you (especially young male offenders) assuming that by the fact that I appear to be a woman, that I want/like the familiarity you imply by calling me "sweetheart"? Are you assuming that I want/like the implicit approval of my "cuteness" or "prettiness" you feel like you are giving? If you're an older man, do you realise that I might find it incredibly creepy? Young women, I think you may be using it to convey community with me, but I'm not sure. Please don't assume that I belong or want to belong to whatever club you are including me in.
Do you not all realise that it is horribly condescending to assume that I would be ok with you using a term of endearment for me without first getting my permission?
Actually, I don't care what your reasons for using terms of endearment for me inappropriately are. I don't like it. Please stop.
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