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Girls, do you like/hate to be called babe?

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11/12/2006 Donkey K. says:

I know that some women get offended by that term, but if a smart girl is called "babe" by her dude, then what's wrong with it? If she is smart, and knows it, she shouldn't be feeling bad her guy considers her hot stuff to boot.

Discuss...

11/12/2006 Rose Q. says:

Are you kidding with this thread?

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11/12/2006 Amy "Work Work Work" L. says:

I wouldn't say offended but more annoyed. It would be like calling your man "dude".

11/12/2006 Rose Q. says:

And not to point out the obvious, but do you suppose addressing all the women on Yelp as "girls" is much better than calling them "babes"?

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11/12/2006 m'ia "|-_-| Yes, I love Natto" k. says:

I personally prefer the terms 'ho' or 'babydoll'.

11/12/2006 S C. says:

I love it. I especially enjoy 'baby girl'.

haha, not even kidding unfortunately.

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11/12/2006 Tracie "Swrkr" P. says:

I had this come up at work where an assistant mgr would call me "babe" and it on and off bothered me. His wife even called me babe once. But I soon realized that he called me babe when he was asking me to do something for him or to thank me e.g. can you....babe...thanks babe...

I deciced I didn't like that there was nothing in my lexicon that I could respond with in kind. I asked him to stop. Our working relationship was never the same. But if my honey called me babe, so very nice.

Its all context.

11/12/2006 Sue Z. says:

do you mean in public?

11/12/2006 Josey E. says:

would you like to be called boy?....what does 'smart' have anything to do with being called babe?
you must be joking...I don't want to know the intelligence behind the question you've posted.

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11/12/2006 Jess S. says:

Unless you're dating me I seriously hope you aren't calling me babe

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11/12/2006 jessica "the original" d. says:

I was a wannabe-radical-feminist for a little while in college... you know, while taking my first anthropology class or something... and I was seriously offended by being called honey or babe, etc. by men because I thought it was demeaning.

I mellowed and now I think it's fine. It doesn't bother me because it's truly not meant in a demeaning way. People usually have other names for me if they want to piss me off.

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11/12/2006 MissMaryAnn D. says:

what ev

11/12/2006 S C. says:

Just to clarify, I meant I like those words spoken by someone I'm dating. Not by someone I work with or are otherwise acquainted.

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11/12/2006 Brandon "Support your local business owner" M. says:

I want to apologize for all the time I've done it. When I say it, it's not being sexist, because people know me, know I'm not. But, right after it slips out, I'm thinking to myself, god, did you just say babe or sweetie, you sexist butt hole. So I would like to say "sorry" if it slips out at a yelp event. Please note, I say things like sweetie cause I care. If it makes you feel better, some people say honey or darling to me. :(

11/12/2006 Josey E. says:

Id rather the person Im dating call me babe and I don't like to be called a 'girl'..

11/12/2006 Hector "What you talkin' about Willis?" M. says:

call me whatever you want...just have a smile on your face baby...

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11/12/2006 Poe "lost my kitty cat" .. says:

Call me what you want, just don't call me late for dinner.

Depends who is doing the calling. I had a BF that called me "baby girl" and I loved it. Also an old bus driver lady I knew called me that and I loved it.

If Ardit called me babe I would projectile laugh and maybe spit up a little bit from the hilarity.

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11/12/2006 Steve N. says:

I call my Wife Babe, but only in private as in "Hi Babe" when I answer my cell phone or when I'm talking to her when no one else is around.
I'd never use it in public or to a stranger. Years ago at a business lunch a coworker of mine called a Waitress babe as she was walking away and she turned around and totally jacked him in front of everybody. It was very funny and he deserved it. Babe can be either very endearing or very insulting. If you can't pick your spot don't use it.

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11/12/2006 Daniela "Wants to Move to Vienna" L. says:

This was always a sore subject b/n ex and moi...he called me babe and I would get pissed off. He'd then get pissed and we'd fight. I don't know if I care anymore. When I see other guys call their gf's babe, it kinda looks cute....honestly, I don't know anymore.

11/12/2006 Lauren S. says:

I WOULD HATE TO BE CALLED BABE. Or chick for that matter. It's just creepy, weird and demeaning.

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11/12/2006 KayJay .. says:

Are you my ex boyfriend?

I loved it when he called me that. Still have sweet dreams about it. Now, if you're some dude on the street... duck, cuz I'm gonna knock your teeth out.

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11/12/2006 Jeremy "Recovering" G. says:

I think people who are overly sensitive to langauge rather than the meaning behind it are silly... As long as a word doesn't have hateful conotations I say a ok. But that's just me... and I am a dude.

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11/12/2006 Daniela "Wants to Move to Vienna" L. says:

My ex was a sexist self righteous pig (who cheated on me). When he called me BABE, the meaning was usually YOU ARE A WOMAN AND I AM YOUR MASTER. What a douche!

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11/12/2006 Steve N. says:

Daniela L. I would never use the word to imply anything like that, More like Kristine J's use of the word. Use it like that and you deserve to be chasing your Chicklets down the avenue.

11/12/2006

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11/12/2006 Cruella de V. says:

Some girls just don't want to be called. Me, I'm with Poe. Most chicks are, they just won't admit that it all depends who is doing the calling. Who cares what actually comes out when a boy opens his mouth?

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11/12/2006 zell c. says:

I hate being called "babe", even by "my man" (which I also hate referring to my SO as "my man"). It has nothing to do with whatever feminist movement dealy, it just reminds me of that talking pig, and talking animals are a peeve of mine.

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11/12/2006 miriam "Tatiana TiGRESS-RRRRRRRRRRRRRR" b. says:

oh no..but would you like to be called " my babe piglet...Ardie"?

11/12/2006

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11/12/2006 Dawn M. says:

I prefer "broad."

11/12/2006 Dawn M. says:

"Jugs" is good too.

11/13/2006

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11/13/2006 Matt "D-O-Double" G. says:

A guy called me SEXY!

I say "Thanks, now I need to shave my Goatee and armpit"

11/13/2006 Dawn M. says:

But seriously, it depends who's saying babe. I can't even begin to tell you all the things I called called when living in the south. If it's an older southern gentleman, they can get away with a lot because they can be otherwise charming and they mean well.

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11/13/2006 V e s t i g e .. says:

Randy on American Idol calls everybody dude.

11/13/2006 Dawn M. says:

Dude, I'm not feeling the "babe" thing. It's just aight for me for you.

11/13/2006 Heidi A. says:

My boy calls me that and I think it's totally endearing. If any of my exes had tried it, I probably would've laughed at them. He's a sweetheart, he can pull it off....I dunno why.

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11/13/2006 Private I. says:

I don't mind being called babe by my BF because I know he means it in an endearing way, and he does not call babe all the time, so there is no problem. Now, if my bf was like Daniela's I would probably not like it very much.

When a guy that I don't know calls me babe I find it offensive and presumptuous.

11/13/2006 V e s t i g e .. says:

hi babes

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11/13/2006 Private I. says:

Sooo rude C J. :) J/K

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11/13/2006 Alex "not leet" L. says:

Broads don't like being called "babe"? what's the world coming to?

11/13/2006

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11/13/2006 Sun E. says:

My man calls me babe and darling, which I find endearing. He says it in a lovey-dovey way.
Better than being called his old lady or bitch! ha!

However, I do not like strangers & salesmen calling me babe or sweetie- find that condescending, demeaning and rude.

CJ-
I'll let you get away with calling me babe- k,?!!!
But he's the only one here who has my permission!

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11/13/2006 David D. says:

Why just ask the girls, babe?

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11/13/2006 Jeff "The Cheesemonger" D. says:

slightly different track:

I was raised to call women that I didn't know 'ma'am' and the men 'sir'.

In my store, when someone comes in that I don't know, I generally welcome them by saying: "How can I help you?" Half the time, that phrase is accompanied by an involuntary "ma'am" or "sir".

Sometimes I get a negative reaction from women when I say this. But never from men

Why do women find the term "ma'am" to be uncomplimentary? It's a sign of respect, not of age or position.

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11/13/2006 euge "fanfuckingtastic" l. says:

ahhh quit the yapping and go get me a beer.

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11/13/2006 Barb "fully fatigued" B. says:

I thought "babe" went out in the late 70's.

Do guys like being called "babe" or "man-meat?"

11/13/2006

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11/13/2006 Keane L. says:

Girls, do you hate being called Babe: Pig in the City?

11/13/2006 Bella W. says:

I like being called babe. Bacon- Mmmm...

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11/13/2006 Starla D. says:

I prefer "sugar loaf" and "sweet tits".

I also like being called "slutty whore". But only on Sundays.

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11/13/2006 maruschka k. says:

I don't mind it all--I thik it's kind of endearing too--when it's coming from my SO, and it's sometimes nice paired with a playful smack on the ass.

I guess it depends on the context. If it's used playfully, I don't mind. If it's in a condescending tone, then no. Especially by strangers. Same goes for "dear" or "honey".

What I don't like being called a "girl". I've done too much & paid too many dues to not be called a "woman". I've earned it.

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11/13/2006 frisco j. says:

dudes, ardit is like borat and you guys are all falling for his game. just ignore him and he will go away.

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11/13/2006 Vanessa G. says:

I ONLY like to be called babe if it's by a guy I've been dating for a while or bf.

When a guy I just met or barely know calls me babe, it makes me want to slap him.

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11/13/2006 Xiu L. says:

what about one of your girl friend call you babe?

11/13/2006

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11/13/2006 MissMaryAnn D. says:

jordano:
word

11/13/2006 S C. says:

Jeff, I didn't notice that anyone answered your question of why some women consider Ma'am uncomplimentary ...

To me Ma'am is for a woman who is either married or clearly older. Miss is for a woman who is either unmarried or appears young. Kind of like the difference between "Madam" and "Mademoiselle."

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11/13/2006 Jeff "The Cheesemonger" D. says:

Stacy: actually in French one calls girls (12 and under) madamoiselle and all other women madame.

Funny the people who get insulted by being called ma'am all seem to be over 40.

11/13/2006 S C. says:

Jeff, honey - you can listen to me or not. I just explained why some women might get offended. It doesn't matter what the actual definition is either. We're talking about social implication and what that means.

By the way, I am no where near 40 either, (early 30's approaching mid.) and I look like I'm 26 seriously.

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11/13/2006 B.K. "Angry Whopper" W. says:

I am insulted by "ma'am." I am not over 40.

While we're on the subject, why won't anyone card me anymore? I was okay with not getting carded back when there were signs saying, "We card under 25." Now the signs say "We card under 40," and still no one cards me. Do I not look under 40? Card me, dammit! And stop calling me "ma'am"!

11/13/2006 Donkey K. says:

"dudes, ardit is like borat and you guys are all falling for his game. just ignore him and he will go away."

No. This is a perfectly valid topic. If you call a girl babe, she will get insulted, unless you are her boyfriend and you mean it at

So, it can be both demeanig or endearing, depending from the person who is saying it.

But most women that think it is demeaning even if they SO said it, they have some majore issues.

So, if you are dating a girl for a while, and she hates being called a babe, she as some issues. (most likely suffering from the severe feminism syndrome or she is hurt by men before, and views this simple word as demeaning and insulting to women, or she is just not that smart and her fragile ego can't handle that term)

babe (bāb):

1. A baby; an infant.
2. An innocent or naive person.
3. Slang. A young woman.
4. Informal. Sweetheart; dear. Used as a term of endearment.

11/13/2006 Bella W. says:

Ok- so all those who get offended by ma'am- don't ever go to the south! They'll be ma'aming you up the yin yang.

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11/13/2006 Suge K. says:

i have a very affectionate family and set of friends, so we're all touchy feely all the time and call eachother endearing things. baby, sugar, sweetie pie, honey bunch. i think it's nice. if some creep says something offensive, it's the tone he/she uses and the other things he/she says (and the intent) that's offensive - certainly not the term of endearment. and i enjoy being called a girl. or a skirt. or a dame. the only thing that makes my ears bleed is when people refer to girls/women/dames/broads/skirt s as "females". that's just icky.

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11/13/2006 Junglist S. says:

i like calling my girlfriend "mama cat"

11/13/2006 V e s t i g e .. says:

Stacy, hey babe. How's your day? Want to play hookie and go for a canyon run?

11/13/2006 S C. says:

Hi, and wow! My morning has been great. How is yours?

I would love to play hookie and go for a canyon run, unfortunately I have mtgs today .... one of them is on the peninsula. Is it raining there? It's raining here in SF.

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11/13/2006 Tracie "Swrkr" P. says:

no rain right now in San Bruno

11/13/2006 S C. says:

Thanks Tracie!

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11/13/2006 Sun E. says:

back on ma'am...
ewww....that makes me feel old. I realize it is said out of respect, but ouch!

funny...
my son, a new Marine started saying:
"Yes ma'am."
"Thanks ma'am"
- as he'd learned in boot camp.

I asked him to instead please say:
"Yes mo'om."
"Thanks mo'om"

11/13/2006

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11/13/2006 Stupid F. says:

Babe is a pig.

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11/13/2006 Irene "meow" S. says:

well i call my boyfriend baby, so i don't really see what's the difference if he calls me babe. either way it's gross, who wants to hear people talk like that? aaaahhhh!