[net.women] new question

hok382@homxa.UUCP (P.CARSTENSEN) (03/20/84)

I have a question for women, particlularly in New Jersey.  I 
only recently moved here, and I seem to get called "hon" (S. Jersey)
and "doll" (North Jersey) a lot--by my dentist, guys at toll booths,
cashiers, and just about anyone with a certain amount of gray
hair.  I don't really mind, but would like to know if it is
my appearance (about 6 yrs < my age) or my accent  (pure Midwest)
or what.               Pat Carstensen   houxa!homxa!hok382 (new address)

pcl@hlexa.UUCP (Paul C. Lustgarten) (03/21/84)

I know that Pat addressed her query to women, but....

When I moved to New Jersey a year ago, (my first time to live in the
eastern US), I also noticed being called 'hon' a lot (e.g. by sales
clerks in the stores).  While I know there are dialects where this is a
common form of address, 

	1) I didn't think the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. was where
	these dialects lived (at least, not this far north), and

	2) I thought it was only used in addressing women.  (Well, I do
	get taken for a women on the phone sometimes, but I think in
	person the thick bush of hair on my face would preclude any
	confusion.  :-) )


	Paul Lustgarten
	AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ
	ihnp4!hlexa!pcl