Don't like it here, go back to where you were.

You can either adapt, or live a miserable life of worring about someone that you don't know using a term of endearment that they mean no harm by. Seems like you really need to take a deep look inward and see what the real problem is. The people using these terms to you mean no harm, and would do more to help you, a stranger from another state than the "professionals" with whom you would perfer to do business with. If this is the only thing you have to be bother by, you really do lead a wonderful life HONEY.

Take care, need help packing sweetie?

Moving trucks leave Alabama everyday..make an appointment.

Well Bless Your Heart!

Delta's ready when you are, shuga.

Honey, these "thoughtless" people you speak of would be the first to stop and help you if your car was broke down on the side of the road, or if someone was trying to assault you. It's a shame that you are so hardened, you find it insulting whenever people try to be nice to you. If you don't like it, feel free to move back to whatever hellhole you came from.

Bless your heart Christa we forgive you. After all you have never heard these terms of endearment and don't understand them. The tone of your letter is probably an indication of why they seem strange to you,

Sweetie you need to lightin' up or move on.

This is a letter to the editor. Makes me miss the Quesidilla guys rumblings.

We also pull over for funeral processions.

Exactly William! Really DD? You thought it worthy to print this letter for everyone to read? For what exactly?

Maybe your husband is not offended by these words and that may be your real problem with them. Why are you even in Alabama if you are so miserable?

Anyone who finds politness to be insulting obviously has some serious personality issues! Southerners are unfailingly polite and chivalry is alive and well. People you have never met will treat you like you're their long-lost cousin. When my Yankee step brither first visited Hartselle, he thought I actually knew every woman in every store and restaurant because they called me darlin', honey, and sugar and said "Well hey, how y'all doin'? When he mentioned how nice it was that everyone knew me, I replied that I really didn't know half of them! I simply couldn't imagine living in a culture without politness!

I like it here and intend to stay, but I am in agreement with Christa French. I don't consider being called 'honey' or 'sweetie' to be terms of endearment or politeness. 'Sweetie' seems to be a given by women nurses and medical technicians even though they have the patient's name available. Again, to my way of thinking it is not endearment or politeness for mature men and women to be called 'honey' or 'sweetie' rather than being addressed by their given names if known. If not, then it shows respect to use ma'am, or miss, or sir. As far as being friendly, Southerners are that. But if a person is not born here they're always considered an outsider.

Why do people move here and then complain about our customs, culture and way of life? I have lived here 50 years and am still not used to some things - but I am not insulted. This is the best place in America to live, darling. You probably are offended by many things, in many places - how petty!!!! The people using those expressions are good, decent working people, and they are only trying to be friendly and helpful. Baby, my suggestion would be run as fast as you can, to Florida, Arizona, anywhere but here- we don't need you, sweetie. Just tale your professionalism with you and go, honey, please.

Thanks everyone for "stepping up" with your comments. Ms.French's letter is akin to buying a house near an airport then complaining about the noise. The notion that an "outsider" is always an outsider is a fallacy. I know people who moved to the South, embraced the culture (and tried to make friends) and they are now as "Southern" as anyone. We love it here because people are genuinely friendlier here. I have traveled the world and know that to be a fact.

I think we have all been had by Miss Christa & Marion. These are obviously fake letters sent to get reactions. If they are genuine then I am amazed that people of this sensitivity had the nerve to express their opinions knowing they would be held up to such public humilition. Obviously Miss Christa, for sure and Marion probably need a medication review. Obviously the present regimend is due for an adjustment. Bless their hearts,

just goes to so people can complain about anything!!!!

Well would Bi#tch have been better for you there Christa? As for the husband, how about old fart? how would you like those terms of endearment?

I can say this.....being in the medical field, I was surprised to find out, it is considered abuse to call an elderly person honey, sweetie, baby, etc....You are to refer to the elderly clients as Mr. or Mrs.....even though you aren't meaning any harm.

I love all the comments but yall are wasting your time....Mama always said never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....by the way,,t I-65 is open 24/7 for your convenience

Bless her heart.

No, Joe, from Falkville, these are not fake letters. And from the tone of some of the many comments, Southern friendliness only goes so far.

I am an old southerner. I was born and bred in the south. Never in my life did I hear my daddy or my mother or even neighbors or friends, call anyone except their relatives, honey, baby, sugar, etc. To call an elderly person this is very disrespectville. So this is not a southern thing, it is a sign of poor home training.

My parents were born here and are very Southern and polite, but none of the women in my family like having a man we don't know call us a term of endearment like "honey." It is used overly familiar for a stranger. And "sweetie" and "baby" are sometimes used in the South in the same way as "Bless your heart!" to mean "You silly fool!"

So let's don't pretend that Ms. French does not have a valid point. I have found that Southern men who really expect all women to enjoy being called "honey" don't mind having you gently correct them by saying, "Please call me Jane. I'm John's wife. You know John, don't you?" or something friendly like that. If they persist in using "honey," I will not go back to that store.

Does anyone remember the tv show Alice???? TheMels Dinner was located in Phoenix, Arizona not Alabama I believed she used the terms this article no one in Phoenix seem to mind lol of coarse Alice was a southern belle

Marion J., the southern friendliness ceases when a base person from another part of the country comes on our soil and begins to critize our customs. The poor lady mentions two states she thinks are classier than Alabama as if to say the more refined people do this and that. Well we are somewhat backward in many ways if you consider helpful, polite and considerate to be backward. We're guilty. And you're right that most of the opinions here expressed are not friendly. We don't take kindly to being critized for acts meant to be friendly. And we're not going to take the advice of a person who obviously has the maturity of a third grader. Such lack of judgement would make some ponder as to why she did not stay in either of those states. If she was as rude and base as to openly critize those cultures it could be that she didn't fit in there either.

I often critize my fellow Alabamians for their conservative views. I often refer to them as "Rouge cus rouge" or Red Neck Reds. But like a lot of loyal family members who complain about their own children I will stand and fight a non-family member for critizing one of my own and Alabamians are members of my family. We have tried to be nice to this old buffalo and she has responded with self righteous hautiness. Rude? Yes, but this type of person does not respond positively to courteousness, obviously. Maybe she can understand that she does not fit in, in this state either.

I had a supervisor once who moved here from Michigan and she complained about people pulling there cars over and waiting on funeral processions to pass out of respect, she said it was stupid. I like the customs we have here,it 's what makes it the south.

I guess sweetie Mrs. French doesn't like being waved at driving down the street either by friendly strangers. All us honeys can California wave bye to her as she is heading back to Arizona or Florida or some other less friendly place to live. Rumor has it Michigan is taking in people like that. I had a guy from Michigan one time ask me why people driving down the street kept sticking their index finger up from the steering wheel when they passed him. I said "just being friendly". He didn't understand either. He moved back to Michigan.

Shuga Dumpling, just head North, West or East...we don't mind, just go!!!

Get over it or move back to where you came from

Chirsta if you don't like it LEAVE. Come up to Jersey where I live and be looked at and treated like dirt by people on the street and stores. One day I am going to live in Decatur permanently loving the wonderful southern life I long for.

First I was born and raised in the South and am an "older lady". I think "sweetie" honey" dearie" should be terms of endearment and I doubt if I'm "dear" to the person at the checkout counter. But more than these terms is the lack of tolerance that the people writing the negative comments showed. A person should be able to express their opinion whether it be on barbeque (Big Bob or Whitt's), football (Alabama or Auburn) "Sweetie" or not without the vitrol shown in some responses to her comments. Why shouldn't she be able to express her opinion without such an ugly reaction? If we Southerner are so polite, welcoming and friendly why so many unpleasant comments and wishes that someone who doesn't agree with us should be told to leave?

When I first moved here in 1970 I was very surprised by the use of terms of endearment in general, and for that manner the local custom of being waved at by another driver I didn't know, but I never felt insulted! Being from the North I did not understand it, but I was certainly not offended. Soon I married a local girl and a whole now life of friendliness and good humor opened up to me. I have loved this area and been blessed to call it my home ever since. Ms. French, I don't mean to be rude but if I were you I might give this lifestyle and its customs a chance to grow on you. If it does not, I'm sure there are or locations that might be more to your liking. Regards, Bill.

Great letter from Bill!

What about 2 men in a truck? I'll give them a call Ya'll!

Must suck being you, sweety. Please take your sour, snooty attitude back to where you left. Next, you'll be telling us we eat the wrong food and wear the wrong clothes. We want to love you, but you won't let us. Bye!

I'm sorry if we offended you honey!