Addressing users here by the endearing experession 'dear'
@allknowing (130064)
India
August 4, 2021 12:23am CST
Wonder if some users who use the term 'dear' while posting know its real meaning. This is for their benefit
dear
[d??]
ADJECTIVE
regarded with deep affection.
"a dear friend" · [more]
synonyms:
beloved · loved · much loved · darling · adored · cherished · precious · esteemed · respected · worshipped · close · intimate · confidential · bosom · boon · favourite · best · treasured · valued · prized · special · favoured
Text source
Rewards40,400,000 resultsAny time Open links in new tabNOUNdear (noun) · dears (plural noun) ADVERBBRITISHdear (adverb) EXCLAMATION ORIGINOld English deore, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier ‘beloved’, also to Dutch duur and German teuer ‘expensive
11 people like this
12 responses
@arunima25 (85352)
• Bangalore, India
4 Aug 21
I know many people get it as a habit. I am not very comfortable using this expression unless I am really sure about my feelings for that person. Yes, expressions like "Dear Lord" is used by me
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
4 Aug 21
That expression that you are talking about has nothing to do with expressing love but expressing shock
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85352)
• Bangalore, India
4 Aug 21
@allknowing Yes. I try to be polite and respectful. But not everyone can get that Dear expression. Very few people in my closed circles do.
So many times I have seen people using it as a sarcastic expression or even insulting one.
"My dear friend, let me bring it to your notice...."...And many a times the following words are demeaning ones
"My dear friend, let me bring it to your notice...."...And many a times the following words are demeaning ones1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
4 Aug 21
@arunima25 Every expression has its place but there are many who do not know how irritating it is for others when they are used in the wrong place.
1 person likes this
@thepickybookworm (18)
• United States
4 Aug 21
I don't like being called "dear" for the plain reason that strangers use it when trying to flirt with me, and it always makes me cringe. I don't like it, and have even told my husband he's not allowed to use it. Men especially, who call me dear on SM, will immediately get blocked.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Aug 21
@thepickybookworm Did not know the real meaning of 'dear' is 'dirty old man'
@thepickybookworm (18)
• United States
5 Aug 21
@allknowing he calls me darling all the time, and I don't mind. "Dear" just makes me think "dirty old man," and I don't like it.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
5 Aug 21
I think it's a matter of what is usual in different cultures. Here in the US, dear is not used often in some areas, but might be used by older adults in other regions. I do not use it to address people. But I realize that it is a common form of address in other countries and cultures, so it doesn't bother me. I think it's important to consider what a word means to the person using it.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Aug 21
It should be used to show one's feelings but at Sites such as this we are here to interact at a different level - this is what I feel.
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
10 Aug 21
@allknowing I'm tempted to block some each time.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
10 Aug 21
I do not think it is due to culture difference but it is individualistic.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86763)
• United States
4 Aug 21
I do it sometimes. I am guilty of endearing lol
But seriously, once when I was serving food at a big hotel, the woman I served got angry because I called her Mam.
That is manners and polite how I was raised.
So I said to her " What do you prefer then you want me to call you Sir?" lol
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Aug 21
If you know someone for a long time and have interacted exchanging news and views I suppose it seems OK
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Aug 21
I do not use it either and also would not want someone to use it when they address me here unless we have interacted for years, sent messages.....................
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
5 Aug 21
Some can call you "cariño" which is much the same as dear but they don´t even think about it on that level its just something they say.
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30598)
• Surat, India
4 Aug 21
I don't think there is any harm in addressing people here as dear. Thanks for the information
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
4 Aug 21
It really doesn’t bother me, often people use dear as an expression of friendliness…
