Attractive Girl Kept Calling Me Sweetie - Meaning?

[kyphysics]

Went for an MRI earlier this week. The technician was a surprisingly young - 20-something - female (who I felt would qualify as universally attractive). Anyways, I'm probably slightly older than her and she was calling me "sweetie" the entire time.

We've never met and she obviously knew my first name (on the chart) and for whatever reason decided to call me that term of endearment.

Some people are really nice and may just treat everyone in a super friendly way with names like that. Other times, it seems like it's done in a flirting way. Is it odd that this girl, whom I've never met, would call me that immediately and throughout our interaction?

Maybe she felt bad for me, due to my injury? Is "sweetie" ever used to refer to someone you feel sorry for?

 

[StevieTNZ]

Had similar names used to me all the time in similar situations, I don't overthink it and get on with life.

 

[Borek]

Doesn't mean anything, chances are she calls everyone the same way.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Reminds me of that The Onion skit: Waitresses. Are they hitting on you?

 

[russ_watters]

Went for an MRI earlier this week. The technician was a surprisingly young - 20-something - female (who I felt would qualify as universally attractive). Anyways, I'm probably slightly older than her and she was calling me "sweetie" the entire time...

Is it odd that this girl, whom I've never met, would call me that immediately and throughout our interaction?

Maybe she felt bad for me, due to my injury? Is "sweetie" ever used to refer to someone you feel sorry for?

It's bedside manner, yes; she's being nice to a patient who may be in a difficult situation.

 

[Jodo]

Borek nailed it. She is probably just a super nice person and uses that "term" with most people. Or...as you stated you are similar in age perhaps. Maybe she was getting "sweet" on you.

 

[Klystron]

My wife called so many people 'Honey', it became her nickname.

 

[StatGuy2000]

Went for an MRI earlier this week. The technician was a surprisingly young - 20-something - female (who I felt would qualify as universally attractive). Anyways, I'm probably slightly older than her and she was calling me "sweetie" the entire time.

We've never met and she obviously knew my first name (on the chart) and for whatever reason decided to call me that term of endearment.

Some people are really nice and may just treat everyone in a super friendly way with names like that. Other times, it seems like it's done in a flirting way. Is it odd that this girl, whom I've never met, would call me that immediately and throughout our interaction?

Maybe she felt bad for me, due to my injury? Is "sweetie" ever used to refer to someone you feel sorry for?

To @kyphysics:

Without knowing more about this technician, my assumption would be that she is just very friendly with everyone, and refers to everyone as "sweetie" (I've known a number of women who did just that).

I agree with the other posters -- I would advise you to not overthink it, as it doesn't mean anything.

 

[Astronuc]

Without knowing more about this technician, my assumption would be that she is just very friendly with everyone, and refers to everyone as "sweetie" (I've known a number of women who did just that).

I agree with the other posters -- I would advise you to not overthink it, as it doesn't mean anything.

I concur.

that term of endearment.

It's a term of endearment, probably to older patients, if not all patients. I wouldn't read anymore into it.

If a 20-something flirted with me, or hit on me, I'd be concerned about "impaired judgement".

 

[Fervent Freyja]

It's likely that she really liked you and found you endearing. Women do this in my area to people they like. It doesn't have to be romantic and I would take it as a compliment. It's also possible that she was flirting.

I have never called a man sweetie. I would probably choke.

 

[Rive]

Don't overthink. Something bit more than friendliness/patient handling might be involved, but anything like that won't set on the first time and anyway, you just skipped even that slight chance already, right?
Now you have seen more of the word: be content with the experience

BTW this 'honey' comes to my mind

 

[kyphysics]

It's late. I'm bored. ...So, I'll ask.

How can a person tell the signs/differences between flirting and someone being nice?

I'm a dumb dude. Explain to me like I'm a 3 year old. ...Seriously, I can never figure these things out.

The hardest ones to decipher are when the girl is being very playful and/or gets emotional in our conversation. I feel like consistent playfulness is flirty vs. a one time playful comment. But, then again, what if that girl's personality is just that way? How can one tell?

re: emotional conversation ...This is another hard one to tell. I've met girls who are VERY EMPATHETIC. If you're hurting, they'll offer emotional support. But, sometimes it's SO empathetic and tonally tender that I wonder if there's something more? Here is a case that bothers me to this day:

I got into a fight with a childhood friend of mine in college. I told my roommate and his girlfriend. When my roommate left, his girlfriend comforted me with very tender words (like a very soft voice/tone and comforting words). She put her hand on my lap and rubbed it.

Okay - totally possibly innocent. Except, there was just this "vibe" or tone to things that felt like it was something more. Later that year, she'd call and email/text me a lot. She wanted to get to know me. She was having a tough time with my roomie and they'd be off and on...off and on...breaking up and getting back together. At times when she'd call or message me, she was broken up/single. I would never have dated her, however, due to being friends with my roommate (not wanting to betray him) and also her not being my type.

Still, this was someone I got to know...we weren't friends, but we were very close acquaintances (just a tiny notch below friends). We'd talk about our goals, our stresses, and just college/work life. I never understood our relationship actually. I didn't care too much, b/c I didn't like her like that. But, I always wondered if she liked me like that.

How can a dumb guy tell?

 

[Klystron]

How can a dumb guy tell?

Ask them.

 

[Astronuc]

How can a person tell the signs/differences between flirting and someone being nice?

Or both.

Still, this was someone I got to know...we weren't friends, but we were very close acquaintances (just a tiny notch below friends). We'd talk about our goals, our stresses, and just college/work life. I never understood our relationship actually. I didn't care too much, b/c I didn't like her like that. But, I always wondered if she liked me like that.

How can a dumb guy tell?

Ask them.

That is the only way to sure, and even then, the other person can change, especially if that person is on/off/repeat.

There is a spectrum of flirting, which could start out as simply nice. Someone might flirt to seek affirmation that they are attractive or desirable, i.e., as a confidence booster.

I think if someone were just being nice, they'd be upfront and honest, but then again, one never knows with a stranger, or even an acquaintance, what is going through the person's mind. One would have to know someone for quite some time in order to make an informed (and objective) assessment.

I had an older woman (divorced) put her hands on my arms or shoulders. She was being nice, and possibly flirting a little. She knew I was married, and she probably felt safe, knowing I would not respond beyond a smile. She didn't touch any other male in the office, even those who were single.

Later on, she'd pop her head in my doorway (in a multiroom office) and make a comment like "nice muscles", to which I would laugh. That was a little more flirting, but I think she felt safe in doing so, understanding that I had limits. She subsequently started a relationship, and the flirting diminished. I don't know what she was thinking, but it might have boosted her confidence.

 

[kyphysics]

Later on, she'd pop her head in my doorway (in a multiroom office) and make a comment like "nice muscles", to which I would laugh.

Come on. You can't post that without showing us a glimpse of your muscles man.

Give us a pic of your guns!

 

[wrobel]

The technician was a surprisingly young - 20-something - female (who I felt would qualify as universally attractive). Anyways, I'm probably slightly older than her and she was calling me "sweetie" the entire time.

if it had been a guy I would have bit tensed up

 

[pinball1970]

It's late. I'm bored. ...So, I'll ask.

How can a person tell the signs/differences between flirting and someone being nice?

I'm a dumb dude. Explain to me like I'm a 3 year old. ...Seriously, I can never figure these things out.

The hardest ones to decipher are when the girl is being very playful and/or gets emotional in our conversation. I feel like consistent playfulness is flirty vs. a one time playful comment. But, then again, what if that girl's personality is just that way? How can one tell?

re: emotional conversation ...This is another hard one to tell. I've met girls who are VERY EMPATHETIC. If you're hurting, they'll offer emotional support. But, sometimes it's SO empathetic and tonally tender that I wonder if there's something more? Here is a case that bothers me to this day:

I got into a fight with a childhood friend of mine in college. I told my roommate and his girlfriend. When my roommate left, his girlfriend comforted me with very tender words (like a very soft voice/tone and comforting words). She put her hand on my lap and rubbed it.

Okay - totally possibly innocent. Except, there was just this "vibe" or tone to things that felt like it was something more. Later that year, she'd call and email/text me a lot. She wanted to get to know me. She was having a tough time with my roomie and they'd be off and on...off and on...breaking up and getting back together. At times when she'd call or message me, she was broken up/single. I would never have dated her, however, due to being friends with my roommate (not wanting to betray him) and also her not being my type.

Still, this was someone I got to know...we weren't friends, but we were very close acquaintances (just a tiny notch below friends). We'd talk about our goals, our stresses, and just college/work life. I never understood our relationship actually. I didn't care too much, b/c I didn't like her like that. But, I always wondered if she liked me like that.

How can a dumb guy tell?

Working this stuff out is the fun part.