Ms. French, don't let the negative people get to you. You made valid points with both letters, and I for one completely understand why you feel the way you do about both subjects. Just ignore the hateful people, they just don't have the mental ability to understand or relate to anyone who doesn't think like they do.

When someone does something nice for you and you don't know their names, you apply a term of endearment like calling them something other, than " hey you" And I fedl a little uncomfortable about asking a person's name right off. CAlling a person by their name is so formal and I don't think it's a sign of effection. My way of expressing gratitude also is by calling a person a sweet sounding name.

Rubbing salt in a wound.

If you don't like how people address you, have the courage to let them know in a nice way at the time it happens.

No one is doing this to offend you, but you take it that way.

If the person calling your husband or yourself names knew you were insulted by it, they would not do it.

Ms. French does not have the market cornered on feelings.

I see nothing wrong with someone calling me 'Honey' or 'Sweetie'. I would rather that than 'Butt Whole'. If you don't like our customs, I'm pretty sure they have flights out of here everyday, back to Germany or where ever you wish to go. Have you ever heard the saying, "When in Rome do as the Romans."?

everyone is offended! welcome to the new USA.

I WAS RAISED CALLING PEOPLE THAT. I DON'T MEAN ANYTHING NEGATIVE BUT THAT JUST AWAY OF LIFE FOR.ME. I WORK IN A HOSPITAL AND WORKED A FUNERAL DIRECTOR FOR YEARS SOUTHERN FOLKS EXPECT THAT. MOST FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE NEGATIVE THOUGHT. LOVE IS FROM GOD AND NOT FROM MAN.

Let me get this straight, this woman writes letters to the editor of the DD about her feeling insulted over terms of endearment and it's now a bigger story?

I'd like an interview please. I'd like to share my feelings on being a " damn Yankee" living here in Alabama.....I came here saying babe or hon. It's not exclusive for the south culture. Folks from the north pull over for a funeral procession too.

I am of German descent, I am a nurse.

How sad that a "term of endearment" offends you, Ms. French. You are in a minority MA'AM.

Writing letters to the editor is stupid. Anyone that has ever written one is a big dumdum.

I can understand her feelings. Different cultures. What I can't understand is why the Daily felt it necessary to print this article and her letter at all. DD, one day when you grow up and start publishing a real newspaper you may truly understand news really is. This isn't it! Your all amateurs.

Really? This is what the DD thinks its readers want to read about? What a stupid story and waste of space.

Well, bless her heart! I wish we all had nothing more important to be worried about than whether someone called us "honey" or "baby". I can think of several other names she may be called in the future!

I am glad a person not from here and even from our country can come over here and make asinine statements about how she doesn't like the way we do things. Must be a hell of a lot better here than where you came from or you still wouldn't be here.

As others have said, if you don't like it you can freely leave, that's whats great about OUR country, freedom. But don't come pushing your feelings on everyone else.

People with these kind of problems must live a perfect life if that's all they have to complain about.

Your point was made both times Mrs. French. I'm sorry to say it but it sounds to me like you are a small person that doesn't see the big picture. We don't all use such terms of endearment when speaking to others, and those of us who don't are probably more offended by your grouping of us all into one lot. We southerners are very entrenched in our heritage and a letter or two to one of the most liberal rags in our area isn't going to change they way we speak, what we believe in or who we are. Stop your whining nobody wants to hear it. What exactly makes you feel so important? YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE SALES ASSOCIATE CALLING YOU HONEY.

RONALD, you are so correct on that. I would suggest people go watch Dr. Benjamin Carson speech on people getting easily offended and political correctness.

Also, to me, it sounds like Mrs. French is in dire need of some attention and has way too much time on her hands. Sweetie, my suggestion would be to go and find a hobby and don't live life with a chip on your shoulder.

Sorry for the offensive greeting,we shall try to do better !

Hit the road Jack, and don't come back, come back, come back!!!!!!!

Sounds like she misses Der Motherland! She is more than welcome to go... Auf wiedersehen!

Honey or sugar isn't a professional way to address a customer or patient. Try using mam or sir !!

Don't mean to pile on about leaving but like the bumper sticker from years ago used to say "we don't give a Damn how they did it up North". I don't think anyone from anywhere that married a serviceman to come to the land of the of the big PX should complain. You could be eating sauerkraut or in some cases fish heads and rice. You got it made better than you would have it in Germany . Last time I checked, there are still flights available to your home of origin .

Southern Hospitality has evolved into Vitrol.

You beat me to it, Casinokid. Such 'Christian' Southern Hospitality...

Although I do agree the best course of action for her would have been to let the offender know that she didn't want to be called a term of endearment instead of writing to The Decatur Daily, the woman comes from a different culture...and 'different' is not always equal to 'bad'. It's kind of like when people you meet ask, "How are you?" They really don't care how you are, it's just after a lifetime of hearing it,you begin saying it yourself.

Why is this worhty of a news story?

I was born and raised here and i have never liked being called, honey, sweetie, sugar or any of those things except by my husband...its too personal and totally unprofessional !! it's best to use Mam or Sir..

How did that gun control work out for the German's and Jews? I believe it is SO disrespectful to come to another country and complain! Just like the illegals coming across the border, complaining. Nobody told you to move here! We also have a few other sayings," you catch more flies with honey, than vinegar", and "if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you, where the Good Lord split you!" If someone does not want to be addressed a certain way, then tell the person doing it, they may not realize they are offending you, and putting it in the daily dishrag, will NOT help!!

I try to address the ladies as "Young Lady" regardless of their age and address the fellows as "Young Man" also regardless of their age.

I can't tell you at the times I address a women in her 40's as "Young Lady" and watch as they smile with such delight!

I have a neighbor who recently turned 96 and everytime I see her walking to the mail box I always say how are you doing today young lady and she just smiles and wants to talk. I enjoy that so.

Oh good grief! Some valid points, some not because of the hateful rhetoric. I will say that the Dailey was way off to give this front page news or even news period. She should have addressed the clerk and explained her concerns with being spoken to in such a familiar way, end of story. I was born and raised in the South, but have lived in other places too, the last being Germany for several years. The Germans have customs which are particular to them and I had no problem with the differences. I like Germany very much, the country and the people there are very nice, all that being said, I'm still southern born and bred, don't mind at all when someone addresses me as honey, baby, sweetie or sweetheart or when they address members of my family the same way. I do it too. My advice to Ms. French is to either speak up or get over it, actually both. We are not changing, and to the Dailey, don't you guys have anything better to write about, I mean really, bless your hearts!