Please do not tell me it is politically incorrect to call somebody “sweetie”. “Sweetie” is like calling a guy “pal”, or “friend”.
Are we now at the point where you can not refer to somebody by anything but their given name?
Just last week, a gate attendant for Southwest Air did me favor, and I told her she was a “sweetie”. I hope I did not insult her.
.....Bob
You used “sweetie” as an adjective, not a name/noun.
If Hillary were to call a male reporter “sweetie” or “hon” I do wonder what treatment it would get. Maybe it would remind the guy just how much he dislikes his mother-in-law?
Genuinely curious about that.
Actually, as a woman I can tell you there is a definitive answer to this question. The answer is,
It depends.
IMO, that is different as this woman did a favor for you and you were, in your way, thanking her. In this instance, this woman wanted an answer regarding his policies. Something we should want the media to do. Something no one is able to get out of this man without usually being called a racist just for asking. He couldn't or didn't want to answer her question so he brushed her off. Had he come back an answered her question, maybe I could let it slide.
For someone who wants to be the next POTUS, ‘sweetie’ is so inappropriate it’s not even cute. How about ‘I’ll get to that in a minute, **ma’am**.”?
If I went out of my way to help someone and they said ‘Thank you, you’re sweet/a sweetie/a sweetheart’ I would not be offended. If a man in a business setting, interview or meeting calls me ‘Sweetie’, it feels rather demeaning. And no, I’m not easily offended by things, but I wouldn’t call my manager, subordinate or coworker ‘bud, pal or dude’ in a professional setting.