Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
> Hmmm, making me think about this. I like pleasant and efficient service
> to accompany reasonably edible food. I don't like "dear" or "Hon" from
> waitstaff. "Ma'am" will do just fine, thanks. And I *really* don't
> like, "What are we going to have tonight," or "How're we doing here?
> Everything okay?" We? My response is generally, " We? I don't know
> how you're doing, but I'm doing fine, thanks."


I forget what part of the country you're in. Those familiarities would
strike me as rude where I am now in New England, but when I lived in New
Orleans, they were common. I was used to be calling babe or hon in
restaurants, and I kind of liked it. I'd call it a cultural difference.


The one I'm getting used to now is informally calling groups of young
women "guys." I hated it when I first heard it. Now I like it and use
it myself.


--Lia