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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SW-User

I remember when I was in high school an adult woman called me "sweetheart" after I'd helped her with something. I was like "d'awww" 🥴

I get that a man calling a woman "sweetheart" can seem inherently condescending even if it isn't intended that way, as it assumes women need to be addressed with special, endearing language that no man would receive. But if it's cultural and regional and nothing's meant by it, I wouldn't call it "wrong".

DarkHeaven ·

@SW-User fair points.