"I'll have a large coffee to stay.. Thanks sweetheart."
I have to resist throwing the coffee in their face.
Being a barista is probably the best job I've ever had.
Being a relatively attractive, young, female can sometimes make it less than pleasant.
Let me be clear, I love nicknames and terms of endearment in general. I think they're [generally] cute little ways of saying "hey. You're special to me".
I don't like nicknames that are casually (or maybe not so casually) sexist and demeaning.
On a relatively consistent basis, I'll have a customer come in (usually an older man), order a drink, pay and then end the interaction with "thanks sweetheart"
Do they mean to be sexist and rude? Who knows. Do I take it that way? I most certainly do.
I understand that sweetheart is a common pet name and I should just get over it. I refuse.
When was the last time the person that called me sweetheart called a man sweetheart?
To me, being called sweetheart by someone I don't know is equivalent of saying "hey. I don't care enough to ask your name. You're less than me. I see you as a sex object"
"Okaywhat? Rachel. That's ridiculous. They're just being nice."
Not ridiculous. Most of the time they would not in a million years call a male sweetheart. I have watched those same customers interact with a male barista and it never ever ends with the word sweetheart. Ever. If I called them sweetheart back they would probably have a fit.
That point aside, how do they know if I'm a sweetheart? I could be a total liberal bitch who's only being polite to you because I'm being paid to do so. You don't know me, you don't get to make assumptions about my character.
Care enough to learn my name. I'm a human being and you are NOT more than me.
The saddest part is I don't believe that most of these people are actually aware that they're being sexist and rude.
Knowledge people. It's cool now.
