Posted on August 6th, 2008 by admin

I call everybody—limo drivers, salesgirls, maitre d’s, cleaning women, doormen—sweetie, honey, pussycat, without a twinge of contrition. Should you be so personal with non-beloveds? Well, it isn’t lost on me that endearing terms so casually bestowed cannot have much meaning for the bestowed upon but I do it for me.

I really do like our doorman, Cosmo’s new receptionist, the girls who help me buy lingerie on the phone at Fernando Sanchez, and so refuse to reserve my “sweeties,” etc., etc., for dear ones only. (I try to call only David “darling” but sometimes slip even there.)

What you call people is as personal as fingerprints and you shouldn’t pay any attention to what I or anybody else calls them; do what makes you happy. P.S. You will probably address people differently as you get older and friendlier. In your twenties you can be more conservative.

Tags: be personal with your friends, special call for friend