I have an older guy friend that refers to me as "sweetie," or "sweetheart." Is this b/c I am younger, or something else? I'm pretty sure it's the first one, but I want opinions.

There are some people that use those phrases....honey, hun, sweetie, sweetheart, etc on a regular basis without thinking a thing about it...They don't mean anything by them..derogatory that is, I don't think. I have had younger people call me that, male and female, it seemed to be a habit for them. People that I had contact with on a regular basis...at the workplace, etc, that did this, I would tell them it bothered me and I really would prefer they not call me sweetie, etc. They would apologize and not do it again.

Tell him you don't like it if it bothers you. But I really don't think it means anything. Or simply say..."why do you call me sweetie?" He should tell you. It should be considered a compliment in a relationship type situation though, I think. It was only strangers or co-workers that got on my nerves saying it. My husband calls me all those little sweet things and I consider it a compliment.

[red-rose-in-winter]

Yeah, I agree with zoom05:
Your older guy friend probably doesn't mean anything by it when he calls you "Sweetie" or "sweetheart." A lot of older people call me "hon" and "darlin" out of habit.

[lnichols]

I'm from Texas, hon, and we do that all the time!