Sweet, Honey

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

I'm from the Northeast and have lived in the Northeast my entire life and have used "hon" more often than I thought when working with younger kids. However, I use it with both genders. The only adult I have ever used the word with is my husband.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Mar 23, 2017

I waited and waited for this during all my pregnancies, I was ready with my sassy comebacks, and no one even tried. No one even asked.

It was those eyes...

(note avatar)

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Mar 23, 2017

I'm from the Northeast and have lived in the Northeast my entire life and have used "hon" more often than I thought when working with younger kids. However, I use it with both genders. The only adult I have ever used the word with is my husband.

I was raised in the land of John Watters, we have a whole culture built around Hon'. No one even blinks at it here.

kidzcare · Mar 23, 2017

I waited and waited for this during all my pregnancies, I was ready with my sassy comebacks, and no one even tried. No one even asked.

I was working as a hairdresser during both of my pregnancies and had a lot of belly touches. Customers who were frequent visitors to the salon for multiple services would sometimes feel like they knew us very well and would step over that line. It honestly did not bother me that much then, but I'm a much more outspoken feminist now :)

I tend to be a bit sarcastic and I would say things more like:

Customer: Oh, look at you! When are you due??

Me: *(clearly pregnant with twins)* What are you talking about?!?!

Customer: *(horrified)* Uh... I thought you were... I... uh...

Me: Hahahahaha

Customer: Is your husband excited?

Me: He'll probably be more excited once the paternity results come back...

Customer: Oh...ok

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

When I work psych-medical, I give the patients a free pass when it comes to the nicknames. Most of my patients are elderly and demented in addition to being psychotic, and I can tell them, "my name is Meriwhen, not [nickname]" until the cows come home--they'll have forgotten the entire conversation by the next time I come into the room :) I like to choose my battles and this one isn't a worthwhile one. Otherwise, the patients are firmly corrected as much as necessary.

Surprisingly, I don't have to deal with this when it comes to coworkers or families.

Sales person: Sure, come on over, Sweetheart. Gosh you have pretty hair (reaches out to stroke my hair in the first 10 seconds of our interaction)
Me: You can call me (my name) and my hair is for display only.

Everyone admires the hair though. Not sure why, I don't do anything special other than color it. I tell them, "you can have this too," and add what hair color brand and shade I happen to be using at the time

NanaPoo · Mar 23, 2017

I keep my hair very short so I would FREAK out if people played with my hair. That would be so weird.

My super old school nursing instructor 20 years ago threatened our lives if we ever called our patients "honey" or "sweetie" or anything besides their actual name. It was an offense worthy of expulsion.She would say, "Mrs. Jones is not your honey. She is Mrs. Jones." That stuck with me and I have since never called anyone by a pet name. My 13 yo daughter hates being called honey or baby by the random waitress or cashier. She thinks it's super creepy. And we've always lived in the South where it happens all the time.

allnurses Guide · Mar 24, 2017

I keep my hair very short so I would FREAK out if people played with my hair. That would be so weird.
My super old school nursing instructor 20 years ago threatened our lives if we ever called our patients "honey" or "sweetie" or anything besides their actual name. It was an offense worthy of expulsion.She would say, "Mrs. Jones is not your honey. She is Mrs. Jones." That stuck with me and I have since never called anyone by a pet name. My 13 yo daughter hates being called honey or baby by the random waitress or cashier. She thinks it's super creepy. And we've always lived in the South where it happens all the time.

I had the same nursing instructor! :yes:

And so I never use "pet" names for patients.

However, they can call me sweetie or honey if they wish.

As long as they aren't that creepy salesman!! :no:

RedBC · Mar 24, 2017

Someday, we will not be able to hide our age. Our wrinkle will show no matter what. We may as well enjoy the ride of looking youthful. I still pass being a 20 year old. I'm flattered. Nice body form and fit at my age, I've been mistaken as minor several time in the nightclubs. I learned to show my cleavage when I go out. This works a lot. At my workplace, every now and then a resident refuses to be assisted by me because s/he thinks that I'm a high school student. First time I experienced this, I asked where the kid was in the facility when the resident said something to me. The patient stared at me like I was treating him/her like a person had a mental problem. The person exclaims "Are you messing with me?" in an irritated tone. I calmly explained myself that I thought she meant that there was a lost kid in her room and s/he was hiding from me when I came in; that was the reason why I asked her/him where the kid was. After this, I changed my composure. It helps a lot when I smile and greet them in a way that I look more confident and capable. The appearance of being looking young would be stomped when I smile, introduce my name and title, greet them, and explain my purpose.

Although they probably just trying to make me happy, I trust people that they're complimenting me genuinely. There are too many important things to think or do than wondering whether they are real when they say something nice.

In short, I hardly have someone calls me by name. I'm everyone's sweetie or honey.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Mar 24, 2017

I was raised in the land of John Watters, we have a whole culture built around Hon'. No one even blinks at it here.

You beat me to it! In Baltimore, "hon" is so ingrained in the vocabulary of the locals I don't even give it a second thought. But only "hon" and, as a transplant, I'm not entirely sure why.

As for the parents, I get called sweetheart, honey, babe, sweetie all the time. From staff as well. I don't mind. Maybe I should, but I don't.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Mar 24, 2017

You beat me to it! In Baltimore, "hon" is so ingrained in the vocabulary of the locals I don't even give it a second thought. But only "hon" and, as a transplant, I'm not entirely sure why.
As for the parents, I get called sweetheart, honey, babe, sweetie all the time. From staff as well. I don't mind. Maybe I should, but I don't.

Hon is almost a substitute for ahh or umm. It started in Highlandtown, Hon, a very ethnic area of the city. I haven't partaken the annual Hon Festival, but have seen it on the news. Think "Hairspray" celebration and that about describes it.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 24, 2017

i think i have to go to that festival. I love Hairspray!!

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 24, 2017

I tend to be a bit sarcastic and I would say things more like:
Customer: Oh, look at you! When are you due??
Me: *(clearly pregnant with twins)* What are you talking about?!?!
Customer: *(horrified)* Uh... I thought you were... I... uh...
Me: Hahahahaha
Customer: Is your husband excited?
Me: He'll probably be more excited once the paternity results come back...
Customer: Oh...ok

Love it! So twisted! Come sit by me - we can mess with people together!!