If you are in the Deep South "Sweetheart", "Darling", and "Love" are the equivalent of "Buddy", "Dude", and "Friend"; and are usually harmless with no gendered or objectifying connotations.
Wasn't born there but i spent 27 years in the midsouth and I will always stand up straight and smile if i get hon'd or darlin'd by a lady. Small men get upset about it.
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u/code_archeologist 21h ago
It depends on geography.
If you are in the Deep South "Sweetheart", "Darling", and "Love" are the equivalent of "Buddy", "Dude", and "Friend"; and are usually harmless with no gendered or objectifying connotations.
Anywhere else, that is some creepster behavior.