I once worked with a guy who called me "Sweetie."

I liked the guy. But that habit made me nuts. He called other women around the office by that term as well. None of us liked it.

But we never said anything. What are you gonna say: "DON'T CALL ME SWEETIE!"?

That would have made us bitches.

Apparently, it doesn't get any better as you get older.

And imagine how your mum feels. Or you could read here.

Then there's the fact that I sometimes call waiters and even students "dear." When did I start doing that? And is it wrong? It's nice, isn't it?

No, it's a conundrum. So we liked knowing that we are not alone. Here's the little scene in which  California Senator Barbara Boxer requested that a brigadier general call by her title, "Senator," rather than "Madame" in a a recent Senate hearing.

But  lots of bloggers and commenters agreed with Manganese Man, who commented on YouTube:

way to respect our military lady. and show your own insecurity/ignorance at the same time. Ma'am is a military courtesy to superior ranking personnel. look what good shape her state is´╗┐ in under her leadership..... vote her out people!

Ya can't win. Do names matter? And how to whom?

                                                                                     --B.J. Roche