Are you a little confused as to what the title means? If so, then you've never had a retail employee call you that or any of the casual names related to it .
Recently, I was in a store where I needed a little help finding something. I asked an employee for assistance and she replied, "Right over here, Hon." When someone outside my own family or circle of friends calls me that, I do a slow boil. The terms are supposed to be endearing, but are not taken that way when used in a retail setting.
Perhaps I'm a little sensitive to that, but I believe Honey, Sweetie, Hon, and others like them have no place in the workplace. They are overly familiar, condescending and unprofessional. You must be able to use a proper term when addressing a customer. Mr., Mrs., Miss, M'am, Ladies, Gentlemen, etc. seem very formal, but they are respectful titles that are rarely used today. I have to say, whenever I've used one of these terms, I've always gotten a positive reaction.
When you are at work, you should be presenting a professional facade, no matter how you feel. We don't have personal relationships with the majority of our customers and they should be treated with respect and dignity, not addressed an a casual manner, unless specifically requested to do so. (I do have a few customers who prefer to be addressed by their first names...it's perfectly okay to do so in that case!) Please remember to treat your coworkers in that manner as well. I believe it will foster good relations and help increase your business.
