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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bijouxbroussard · F

In a professional setting it’s one of those inappropriate habits older men are unlikely to break, alas. I tended to ignore it as long as nothing else (like inappropriate [b]touching[/b]) went with it. The culture has at least changed enough that most bosses know not to urge women to encourage that response ("he likes you, honey !"). There’s been some progress.