New study reveals which pet names give Brits the heebie jeebies

My hair nearly stood on end the other day as I was kissing the guy I’ve been dating goodbye when he said, “I’ll see you later, sweetie.” It was a) the first time he had given me a pet name b) the first time he had given me a cheesy pet name and c) I am many things, but “sweet” isn’t one of them. As per usual, I had no filter. “Sweetie?” I cried. “You called me “sweetie?”

Quite understandably, my lovely new dude was confused. “Is there something wrong with that?” he asked. “What would you prefer?” For once, he had me stumped and speechless. I didn’t have an answer — and that is for the simple fact that I absolutely loathe all pet names.

I’m not the only one, either. A recent survey from Siteopia.com revealed “babe” as the most hated pet name among women in the U.K.  After polling 2,000 Brits between the ages of 18 and 60, the site determined that only one in five call their partner by their given names: the others are subjected to “snookums”, “sweet cheeks” and “baby doll.”

Gag me with a freakin’ spoon.

Whenever I hear stuff like “sweetie” or “hon” (as one male friend who is, in fact, four years younger than I continues to a annoyingly refer to me to this day — you know who you are), I shudder. The man you are dating should speak like a man, not like an 84-year-old waitress.

There are some pet names that are acceptable, of course, though they are far and few between. “Gorgeous” and “Beautiful” are always acceptable in my book (and the ladies of London apparently agree with me).

But guys, just an FYI: When in doubt, use our names. There’s nothing sexier than hearing you say our name.…so use it. OK, babes?

Top 20 Most Hated Pet Names For Women:

1. Babe
2. Sweet cheeks
3. Snookums
4. Baby doll
5. Baby girl
6. Muffin
7. Ducky
8. Baby cakes
9. Sexy pants
10. Pudding
11. Angel pie
12. Pumpkin
13. Puppy
14. Sugar lips
15. Treacle (a type of syrup in the UK)
16. Baby
17. Pickle
18. Honeybun
19. Sugar pie
20. Cupcake

Top 20 Acceptable Pet Names For Women:

1. Gorgeous
2. Beautiful
3. Lovely
4. Love
5. Darling
6. Honey
7. Sexy
8. Angel
9. Dearest
10. Precious
11. Treasure
12. Snowflake
13. Blossom
14. Sweetie Pie
15. Sexy legs
16. Lover
17. Buttercup
18. Flower
19. Princess
20. Sweetness