Is it wrong to call women "Sweetheart" on the phone?

I work as a telephone agent. My last caller insisted on calling me "sweetheart" during the call. He was an older gentleman. I get this from time to time, especially from older men in the American South. When guys talk like that, I feel a mix of feelings as a woman, both valued but also patronized.

Do you think it's good or bad when men talk to women this way? Why do you think so?

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Jimmy2016 · 61-69, M

🤔........Women can call a man honey or sweetheart but a man can't call a woman by those names............It's the double standard rule.............My dad was from Texas and he always said thank you mam or yes mam..............One time I was at the store with my dad and mom and my dad said Thank you Mam to an older lady working there and she got all pissed off at him................lol we were all laughing at it.........

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@Jimmy2016 It's a good point. I wouldn't call a man honey or sweetheart ever. But that's not how we talk in the North. I've had to learn how to talk differently since I started this job. I have never said "Yes Ma'am," or "Yes Sir," until I started talking to folks in the South. I realized if I don't, it's perceived as rude.

Jimmy2016 · 61-69, M

@ShadowSister Yep, exactly! I from the north too. It's a southern way of being nice and showing appreciation to someone. Once in a while a woman will say "Thank you honey", to me and I don't mind it. But I never say that to women.........

bijouxbroussard · F

@Jimmy2016 The double standard exists because traditionally, women have not been able to take that over-familiarity to threatening levels in the way that men have. But in a work setting, neither would be considered professional.

Jimmy2016 · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard Diffidently not in a work environment!! That's big no,no.............I never compliment my female coworkers on anything that's personal...........If it's work related then yes, I will..........I have had female coworkers complement me on things before like "nice shoes" BUT I never complement them on how they look or what their wearing...........I don't what them to think I'm checking them out.........

NoGamesTolerated · F

@Jimmy2016 Definitely a southern way of being nice,