pet names

I just started thinking about pet names because my Dad just called and I know that most of the ones I like/ am used to are the ones he calls me. Plus I read a book that briefly discussed the idea so I am mixing those two thoughts together for this entry.

Firstly, the list of pet names. "My love", "darling", "baby", "sweetheart" and "sweetie" are the ones I mainly hear/use. If I think of others, I'll include them. I suppose there are also the food ones and the aesthetic ones. Ie honey, sugar, or sexy, beautiful, cutie. Those are fine too, depending on context.

Here are the pros and cons for each.

"My love" is all kinds of soppy. You can't just decide to use that one, if it sounds natural it's lovely, but most of the time you'd sound like a weirdo trying to call your boyfriend 'my love". I do like it though. My Dad just called me that when I answered the phone, it's nice. "Hello, my love."

"Darling" is that classic, 50's, long dresses and red lipstick, James Bond, Audrey Hepburn classy, but also really homey and saying "I love you' in a casual way. It's not the one I'd choose but I can see it's appeal. There's just something about being called darlin'.

"Sweetie" is the one I actually use. Normally patronisingly, like 'aw, sweetie, you poor thing" or "Mia, sweetie, you're being a bitch," but that's the one I used with you-know-who back in the day. Not always seriously but not always completely joking either. I don't want to look it up to find an example, but I like sweetie. It works on boys and girls, kids, pets, it's great. I think it's romantic in a way, but mostly just casual. I have friends that call me sweetie. It's cute.

"Baby". Maybe it's kind of weird, but I like baby. Or babe. It's possessive, in a 'that's my girl' type way. Or guy, because I think girls can definitely use baby as well.

I know some people thing pet names are gross but I'm not one of them lol. Those and nicknames, I can't get enough of them. It's so endearing when people call me things that aren't just my plain old name. For me, it's only the special-est people that call me 'Luce'. I also get Lulu which I don't mind, Lucille from some relatives, Lucy-Lu from a few people. Blondie from a few close friends, bffl, you know who, ex etc. I like nicknames, it shows people care. It's also kinda like an inside joke.

Overall I think as long as people are okay with whatever you are calling them, it's fine. And pet names aren't sexist unless its only the guy calling the girl names with either infantilise her or make her sound like property. My dad is vaguely like that, when he calls check out chicks etc 'darling'.