Terms of 'Un'endearment

Those of you who know me and have spent lots of time with me know that I often rely on the term 'darling' as my go-to term of endearment. I much prefer to use the term 'darling' rather than sweetie, honey, cutie, champ, coach, etc (really, we all know the list could go on).

I admit that I do use 'darling' liberally, but not in every case and circumstance (I think). I like to believe that I am still discerning of when and where to use it appropriately.

And, I must also admit that I do very much enjoy being called endearing things by endearing people.

BUT, there is a point where I DRAW THE LINE.

The following might thus seem a tad hypocritical which is why I began with a breakdown of my own (over?)usage of terms of endearment.

Now - the scenario. A new coordinator has joined our team at work to help out with admin, office management and taking care of the website. It might sound familiar to some of you as this was (most of) my former job portfolio. It's a pretty straightforward though full-on pedal-to-the-metal type job as there are constantly things to do. Considering the tasks at hand for the coordinator - you would expect that she needs to be efficient, self-reliant, and have a friendly demeanour.

And oh my, is she ever 'friendly'. This girl should be hosting a preschooler's tv programme - she's that sugary sweet. But my problem is that she's over the top sweet, and uses a funny voice that doesn't belong in the corporate office. And worst of all, she calls me (and my colleagues) several unforgivable nicknames that would be terms of endearment, if they were not completely unendearing (and downright silly) to the point that I might suggest she is extremely insecure and wholly disingenuous when she uses such stupid pet names. If that's the case, so be it, but if not my line has been drawn. I can't speak for anyone else in the office - but I tend not to use terms of endearment with anyone I work with professionally. I've had it up to my eyeballs with:

'Snookums' (I thought this was only meant to be used between people in romantic relationships)
'Fancy lady'
'Shweetie Pie' (no, I did not mis-spell it - she says it with the sh- sound at the beginning)
'Schmoopy pants' (WTF?! And again, is it not meant to be used in a romantic context only?)
'Hun Buns' (which I can only imagine is some short form of 'Honey Bunny')
'Sunflower'
'Babycakes' (again, WTF?)
'Bubbaloo'

... and the list could go on...

I can't stand it! That's it. Enough!

Ok - I'm done with my whinging and moaning. The next post will be nicer.