Just reporting an annoyance from meatspace that doesn't have much to do with anything I normally post about.Earlier this week, I stopped by the local Sonic Drive-in. The waitress came up to my car and handed me my chicken strip basket (in a box), "Here you go, babe." I let out a reflexive thanks before the oddity sank in. "Here's your receipt, hun."
I've managed to improve my appearance thanks to clearing up my skin with modern medical science, but I'm not going to jump to the conclusion that she was flirting with some random customer she barely had time to get a look at. Now, I'm pretty casual most of the time, but "babe" is crossing the line into attempted intimacy. "Hun" is a bit more acceptable here in the deep south since we're oh so warm with the southern hospitality, allegedly. Anyway, it's just annoying when an employee doesn't know how to address the customer. I don't insist on 'sir', but I do have a limit on familiarity.
(Note for any of you yankees who end up here in this pit: "Ma'am" is regarded as the female equivalent of "sir" and nothing more.)
5 comments:
I get it from the other side. I get customers calling me mate, champ, chief, boy, pal, buddy, love, darling, sweetie, honey and all sorts of other things.
Sometimes they are being overly familiar, sometimes they are trying to let you know your place (i.e. below them), but most of the time it's just the way they talk.
I wouldn't be suprised if this is how this waitress is addressed most of the time and so she has simply adopted some of the words she hears constantly.
I think I can imagine that. She was reasonably attractive.
It's pretty common place for people to use those terms here in the Carolinas. I get called that pretty frequently when going to a restaurant or gas station etc.. Especially in the rural areas.
I usually don't take it too bad. I don't however return the gesture by calling them sweetie or honey.
Probably just looking for a bigger tip.
I'm socially inept so I don't really see it myself :D.
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