Sweetie

When Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was chatting with female factory workers in Pennsylvania last week, he called one of the workers "sweetie," according to U.S. News and World Report.

Bonnie Erbe of "U.S. News" called Obama's actions "a paternalistic way to address a woman if there ever was one. ... This was Obama trying to relate to working-class women in a way that went directly south."

Now I've only been called sweetie a few times in my life. My mom uses the term when she has to break bad news or if I'm feeling bad. I've also heard some construction workers yell it to get my attention.

I think a man calling a woman who is not his wife, girlfriend or essentially sweetheart "sweetie" is derogatory. I think sweetie is right up there with sweetcheeks, babycakes, muffin, pumpkin, sugar and boo as terms that male strangers should avoid calling women.

Save sweetie as a pet name for your lover. Or go with schmoopie, unless you're worried your friends might yurple (throw up a little in their mouths).

What do you think? Should Obama have called a female worker sweetie?