Q. A good friend of my husband’s always addresses me as ‘Gorgeous’ or ‘my sweetie’, as he does many of his other female friends. After two years it is starting to grate and I would like him to start calling me by my given name. How can I get the message across without hurting his feelings? I can’t ask my husband to say anything as he is just too tactless and his friend does mean well, even though his efforts to be suave and charming fall flat. His friend considers himself a ladies’ man but sadly just doesn’t have the ‘necessary’ to carry it off!
S.W., Swadlincote
A. If your concern is that other people might consider the two of you an item, then do not worry. Your body language will indicate that this is not the case. Let the old buffer carry on with these harmless endearments.
Q.
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