Overly familar people

Out of interest, what would you think of someone who was very 'gushing' with everyone they met, kind of like 'Hi beautiful, how are you darling? That's great honeybunch.' This is even done in work to people they barely know. I find it quite weird to be so overfamilar.

Some people just seem to have that style. I occasionally find it annoying, otherwise it does make me smile, it is so over the top and seemingly (to me) silly. Mostly I find it annoying when it is used on me or too soon after I see it used on another in exactly the same way, as if I am just like the other.

I don't like being called honey by anyone! Uggg I especially dislike it when someone is over familiar. It totally turns me off.

I find it odd to be so overfamilar to the point where it sounds kind of nauseating and inappropriate. Unprofessional in the workplace as well.

I can't stand it.
I dislike it enough coming from my own family, but tolerate it.
In my workplace there is one chap who calls all the women pet or sweetheart it just makes me gag.
We also have a "toucher", she thinks nothing of grabbing you round the waist, rubbing your lower back or patting your backside.

I know I am overly sensitive to this stuff, makes me want to cry and puke, but I agree no place for it in the work place

It is called having no boundaries, so it is up to the people being touched, etc...to SAY something. That isn't being oversensitive; when people violate our physical or emotional boundaries, we need to make them aware that this kind of behavior is INappropriate.

As for the "toucher"---what I would do? I would say in a LOUD voice, please do not grab me or WHY are you touching my backside? This is a SHE?!

If it is on the job, complain to your supervisor. I had this happen one time. A guy that called all women "sweetie". The boss sent out a memo asking us to address each other with respect.

I think "touchers" are starved for human contact. I don't like being touched at all, but I can understand their perspective.

This is an interesting one!

Last year I met a couple who are friendly and kind. The husband calls me darlin' and gives me a hug... in front of his wife and my husband. We are getting along nicely as friends and he's a talker like me. We have some very interesting conversations which I thouroughly enjoy.

At first I thought his behaviour was somewhat OTT but, now that I'm getting to know him I find him one of the most sincere and caring persons that I've met in a long time.

I come from Britain and we are not so demonstrative but I can forgive his somewhat gushiness under the circumstances and take it all in a light hearted way.

It's a good ol American southern thing, darlin.

I find this typical of the British to be honest...generally speaking we're not keen on these sorts of emotional displays. You've only got to look at the scores of people who go out of their way to avoid eye contact on the tube. I don't really have a problem with it per se...i think sincerity is obvious, and if you're not sincere yeah it can be uncomfortable but otherwise i think most adjust to it reasonably fast and at worst find it an occasional annoyance.

]This woman I know calls EVERYONE the same names as well so it sounds really insincere as well as nauseating.

I find that behavior pretty refreshing in a world that sometimes feels about as demonstrative and friendly as a lump of concrete. I get the urge to give these expressive people a reassuring hug.

HOWEVER...

People who are extremely friendly, with everyone, all the time, may face two consequences:
(1) It looks like they're not really paying attention to people sometimes. Hi, I'm having a horrible day, I just explained this, why are you acting like it's all sunshine and rainbows? Am I not actually here?
(2) I can imagine that sooner or later people assume they're being flirted with!!! If you don't want a flirty response back, please, back off the uber friendliness just a bit. "Onwards honeybunch darling" within two seconds of first meeting me might incline me to think there's more than "Hello" going on.

So it is kind of refreshing to me, but it can also get as confusing as people who are always gloomy, grumpy, stone-faced, pushy, or severely reserved. There's a time and a place for everything I guess.

I am a hugger, kisser. touchy-feely; but I have a sense when someone doesnt want to be hugged.

I let those people know they might find a more enjoyable conversation somewhere else.

Being called 'babe, hun' makes me feel like a guy, i am just not feminine enough to accept that as a compliment or friendship sign. And 'love' as a replacement of my name, I just think, come on, you look so fake, how can anyone be that extroverted!

I agree that it is not appropriate in the work place, however under other circumstances I don't find it weird. Then again, I'm in the US and in the South. We tend to be pretty huggy, darlin' and sweetie callin' type of people for the most part. Now I would give someone the side eye if they told me "sweetie, oh bless your heart" , otherwise it's just what I grew up with as "normal".

it makes me uncomfortable. esp if the person is much older than me. then i feel they are treating me like a kid and i hate that! I also feel pressure to be super friendly right back which is difficult cuz i am very shy. I know they mean well but i just dont respond well to it.

It can be about asserting dominance.

I guess because she says it to everyone it seems fake and insincere as well as unprofessional in the workplace.

I feel like my space is being violated when I am touched by a stranger or someone I barely know. I don't like to be touched at the best of times. I don't mind being called pet names by my family but not by someone I don't know. It's inappropriate.

I can't second this enough!!!

There are times I will use an "affectionate" name without realizing it...mostly to children and a few people that are very close. If I say it.. it is genuine. I do not do this with everyone...

Hugging is really challenging for me. Again, if I am hugging - I really mean it - it comes to me naturally. I was in the south for about 10 years and people hug very often - in any situation. That was difficult. I've also have seen some hug and then turn around and stab that person in the back with words.

I love to get hugs from the kids I work with - I know that is genuine - on both parts

likely you are experiencing a culture clash. americans are most standoff-ish than most other cultures, except perhaps for parts of the south. personally, i'm of the "hands off", don't call me Darlin', school of behavior.

Nope, both English so no culture clash. I have never known anyone to be so over familar with everyone they meet, at times it is like they have no understanding of boundaries.