In spite of a hugely pregnant belly that I hoped would make me look more serious, people have no idea how old I am. All day long today, a cab driver, a bus driver, a security guard, a nurse and an orderly were referring to me as “sweetie”, “honey”, “darling”, and “there is a girl here waiting to get her ultrasound.” I also got my cheek pinched once.
I am old, though, which is evidenced by the fact that none of this annoyed me. To the contrary, I was happy I could still pass for a sweetie. Oh, the joyous days of youth when I got annoyed when people treated me as a child! Today I’m more likely to think, “Condescend to me, please! This might be the last time you feel no awe of my advanced age.”
Clarissa's Blog 
I don’t like that sexism, though.
LikeLike
Oh David, not everything is in need of a hammer. Now, if they start calling you sweetie then you might have a legitimate beef. 😉
Clarissa, are you not only 37? In my world that is still a sweetie kind of age. 🙂
LikeLike
Ah! This is a very nice thing to say. I’ve started feeling ancient after discovering bunches of gray hairs sprouting from my head
LikeLike
Well old women are also called dear, after they become doddery.
LikeLike
Yes, maybe people are just happy to see such an ancient wreck still on her feet. 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Dear, yes (where I’m from “the dear thing” “the dear old thing” or “X, god bless her” when she’s out of earshot)
But not sweetie, honey or darling in my American experience (terms may vary where you are).
I say enjoy it while you can and milk that belly for all the sympathy and nice language you can.
LikeLike
http://unsanesafe.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/on-calibrating-my-demise.html
LikeLike
Especially since soon somebody will come out of the belly and start milking me. 🙂
LikeLike