Dear Queenie,
I am a grown woman, happily married, with children. Sometimes when I am running errands a man I am dealing with will call me “dear”. It even happened a couple of times at a doctor’s appointment. I find this inappropriate and even embarrassing.
Queenie, what is the best way to reply to this?—“Dear” Etty Ket
Dear Etty Ket,
Sometimes people (not just men) call someone “dear” out of force of habit, or because they cannot remember the other person’s name. If it really bothers you, tell them – gently, politely! – “My name is (whatever),” and repeat as necessary.
