"Sweet"

I had a cold caller a few years ago, selling tea towels and sponges, dusters etc. He did the spiel saying ‘We are raising money as we the council are building a homeless hostel around the corner’. He was young, so taking pity on him as I worked at the council, I said ‘ It’s your lucky day mate, I work for the council and we would not send people out going door to door. Be a bit clever and quickly scarper, leave this street. Hang around or call at any more doors where I can see you and you won’t be so lucky’.
He left sharpish.

I volunteer behind the bar at the local pub (in normal times!) and count the number of times per shift someone calls me something irritating. The locals generally see me as a person and call me by name, but visitors will often try "dearie" or "ducks". Grrr! (To be fair, I'm not sure what they could call me, but trust me, I do not look like a dearie )

I see nothing wrong with being called sweet. Sour maybe.

Personally I wouldn't mind. It's a friendly term not a personal one. Besides I've been called far worse ;)

I have a No cold callers sticker on my door.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I had someone selling a couple of years ago. He got quite aggressive and I bought something just to get rid of him. He was later arrested by police for not having the proper licence. I was told to ask to see their licence if they cold call. Its very rare here that we get cold callers.Even the religious groups don't come.

I wouldn't be too chuffed if someone on my doorstep introduced themself as an 'ex-offender' either!
Well I applaud them for their honesty and their willingness to try to change themselves.
I usually buy something from them even though I know the prices are inflated.
I just remind myself that someone is their mother or grandmother.

inishowen

I thought cold callers were not allowed at the moment. I have a sticker on my door. Before covid a religious group rang the bell. I pointed to the sticker and the woman said "that doesn't apply to religious groups"! I couldn't believe her cheek. Back to the OP, I hate being called dear or love, but sweet is sweet.

When we mkved here we "inherited" a fancy plastic plaque on tje front door saying no salespeople etc. They still used tonring the bell and insist on telling me why the notice didn't apply to them. We didnt bother replacing it when we changed the front door.

Yes that’s right - also if you google “Nottingham Knockers” you’ll see there is a national network of them and it’s all about scoping out people’s homes for a potential burglary. And I used to think they were just sweet boys who needed a helping hand?

It’s what’s someones intentions are that count.
My irritation is ‘mate’ and being called ‘mam’. It’s just me not them.
Think if someone comes to the door selling they are pretty desperate - without some precious house hold asking not to be called ‘sweet’ I’m sure you have been called much worse. Can you imagine if we were desperate enough to do door stop selling.
I put myself in the other persons shoes.
Just my opinion ?

I was speaking to the water company about a problem recently and their bloke kept saying "Ah bless" which I found rather patronising but my daughter tells me that she says she says it to her elderly service users and I shouldn't be insulted! As my flat door is at the side of the house I thankfully miss out on people trying to sell me things.

With the pandemic I'd be furious if anyone was cold calling at my door at the moment.
And I definitely hate when someone I don't know is over familiar.

I don't like cold callers, but I don't mind what people call me.
I'm just pleased to be called anything as at my age most people just ignore me.

One of those "ex offenders" called on me recently. He seemed a very nice young man. I am gullible and believed every word.
Just to help him on his way I bought a pair of kitchen scissors and an ironing board cover. Paid him £40 by cheque as I had no cash. I knew it was expensive but I believed he was trying to rehabilitate himself. Later I heard that the same man had been very rude to a neighbour down the road and had been abusive. What to do? If you buy they think you are a soft touch. If you don't they may verbally abuse you. In either case they may sell your address to a crook who may burgle you. I am buying a door camera which will allow me to see who is at the door. I may also by a door chain. Another neighbour told me that the local facebook was warning against these people. Beware.

I thought cold callers were not allowed at the moment. I have a sticker on my door. Before covid a religious group rang the bell. I pointed to the sticker and the woman said "that doesn't apply to religious groups"! I couldn't believe her cheek. Back to the OP, I hate being called dear or love, but sweet is sweet.

Thought cold calling was illegal got sticker on door saying report any?

I'd more concerned about the supposed ex offender being part of a scam and also any cold caller knocking at the door during this lockdown, than any colloquial term he might address me by!

grandMattie

Beware!+ A policeman told my WI that these "ex-offenders" are nothing of the sort. They are part of the scammers/slavers who sell you rubbinsh at an exorbitant price. Watch out - "sweet" or not!

Yes, important point being missed here...the "ex offenders" "students" "unemployed and needing help"..."single parents" are ALL scammers.

JdotJ

Many many years ago I opened the door to a lady who 'tried' to sell me some artwork she said she had painted. She would not leave and said she was trying to make a living so I said, 'so am I', grabbed an air freshener which happened to be on the hall windowsill and asked if she would like to buy it. I kept on and on talking and goading her saying what good quality it was etc and the fact that she had come on to my property meant she was trespassing whereas I could sell what I wanted from my house.
She soon scurried off.

You sound delightful

Yes

I can't stand Madam (rare now) but I quite like Mam (American) It's not patronizing like some titles.

Having lived a lot of my life in Somerset, I'm quite inured to being addressed by all ages and sexes as "my luvvverrrrr."

As others have said, there is no such thing as a scheme for ex offenders to sell door to door.
No such official scheme has ever existed.
It’s been going on in different areas for decades - the ID/badges etc are all fake.
Anybody telling you that they are selling as part of a rehabilitation scheme is lying.
You should report them to your local police - description, time, date etc.
They are usually selling rubbish at exorbitant prices, trying to suss out vulnerable households for future scams or burglary or simply con men.
Report them before they scam vulnerable people.
During lockdown, door to door selling is illegal. This is yet another reason to report them as these scammers are often travelling en masse from a distant area, flouting travel rules as well as mask rules.

Many many years ago I opened the door to a lady who 'tried' to sell me some artwork she said she had painted. She would not leave and said she was trying to make a living so I said, 'so am I', grabbed an air freshener which happened to be on the hall windowsill and asked if she would like to buy it. I kept on and on talking and goading her saying what good quality it was etc and the fact that she had come on to my property meant she was trespassing whereas I could sell what I wanted from my house.
She soon scurried off.