When someone calls you “honey,” it can feel endearing, awkward, or even annoying, depending on the context and your relationship with them.
If it’s a friend, family member, or coworker, your response can vary based on how comfortable you are and the nature of the interaction.
Here are 30 ways to respond, each with a personal touch, tips on when and when not to use them, and examples to guide you.
1. “Thanks, sweetie!”
- Story: A barista at my favorite coffee shop called me “honey” while handing me my coffee. I responded with “Thanks, sweetie!” It was a friendly and playful way to match their tone.
- When to use: When you want to keep things light-hearted and friendly.
- When not to use: If you’re uncomfortable with the term or in a more formal setting.
Example:
Person: “Here’s your coffee, honey!”
You: “Thanks, sweetie!”
2. “Oh, that’s cute!”
- Story: A colleague affectionately called me “honey” during a casual conversation. I replied with, “Oh, that’s cute!” It acknowledged their affection while keeping things playful.
- When to use: When you want to respond in a light-hearted and non-confrontational way.
- When not to use: If the term makes you uncomfortable or if a more formal response is required.
Example:
Person: “Could you help me with this, honey?”
You: “Oh, that’s cute!”
3. “I appreciate the sentiment!”
- Story: A supervisor called me “honey” in a professional setting. I said, “I appreciate the sentiment!” to politely acknowledge their kindness while keeping it professional.
- When to use: In professional or semi-formal contexts when you want to acknowledge the term politely.
- When not to use: If the context requires a more formal or straightforward response.
Example:
Person: “Thanks for your help, honey.”
You: “I appreciate the sentiment!”
4. “Noted, honey!”
- Story: A friend called me “honey” while making plans. I responded with, “Noted, honey!” It was a way to play along while keeping the conversation light.
- When to use: When you’re comfortable with the term and want to respond in a fun way.
- When not to use: If you’re unsure of the person’s intent or if it feels inappropriate.
Example:
Person: “Let’s meet up later, honey.”
You: “Noted, honey!”
5. “Thanks for that!”
- Story: A family member called me “honey” during a casual chat. I replied, “Thanks for that!” to acknowledge their affection without making a big deal out of it.
- When to use: When you want a neutral and polite response.
- When not to use: If you want to address the term directly or if the situation is more formal.
Example:
Person: “You did a great job, honey!”
You: “Thanks for that!”
6. “I’m flattered, thanks!”
- Story: A friend called me “honey” during a compliment. I said, “I’m flattered, thanks!” It was a way to show that I appreciated their affection without feeling too informal.
- When to use: When you want to acknowledge the term with a touch of gratitude.
- When not to use: In very formal situations where a more professional response is needed.
Example:
Person: “You’re always so helpful, honey.”
You: “I’m flattered, thanks!”
7. “Thanks, but I prefer my name.”
- Story: A coworker called me “honey” in a meeting. I responded, “Thanks, but I prefer my name,” to set boundaries politely while maintaining professionalism.
- When to use: When you want to correct the term politely without causing offense.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a casual setting or by someone you’re close to.
Example:
Person: “Could you pass that, honey?”
You: “Thanks, but I prefer my name.”
8. “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
- Story: A stranger called me “honey” during a brief interaction. I said, “I’m not sure how to respond to that,” to express my discomfort without being rude.
- When to use: When you’re unsure about how to address the term and want to signal your uncertainty.
- When not to use: If you want to keep the interaction smooth and friendly.
Example:
Person: “You’re doing great, honey!”
You: “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
9. “I appreciate your kindness.”
- Story: A manager called me “honey” in a supportive context. I replied, “I appreciate your kindness,” to acknowledge their sentiment while maintaining professionalism.
- When to use: When you want to recognize the kindness without engaging in the term itself.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a more casual or familiar setting.
Example:
Person: “You’ve been a great help, honey.”
You: “I appreciate your kindness.”
10. “I’m not comfortable with that.”
- Story: A colleague used “honey” in a way that felt too personal for a work setting. I said, “I’m not comfortable with that,” to address my discomfort directly.
- When to use: When you need to set clear boundaries about how you’re addressed.
- When not to use: If the term is used by someone you have a close relationship with or if you’re in a casual setting.
Example:
Person: “Can you help me with this, honey?”
You: “I’m not comfortable with that.”
11. “Thanks for the sweet talk!”
- Story: A friend used “honey” during a playful conversation. I responded with, “Thanks for the sweet talk!” to match their tone while keeping it light-hearted.
- When to use: When you want to play along with the term in a casual setting.
- When not to use: If the term feels uncomfortable or if the context is more formal.
Example:
Person: “You’re awesome, honey!”
You: “Thanks for the sweet talk!”
12. “That’s very kind of you.”
- Story: A mentor called me “honey” in a supportive manner. I replied with, “That’s very kind of you,” to acknowledge their kindness without focusing on the term.
- When to use: When you want to focus on the kindness of the gesture rather than the term itself.
- When not to use: If you need to address the term more directly.
Example:
Person: “You’re doing great, honey.”
You: “That’s very kind of you.”
13. “I’m fine with just my name.”
- Story: During a team meeting, someone called me “honey.” I said, “I’m fine with just my name,” to politely correct them without causing any friction.
- When to use: When you want to set boundaries while staying polite.
- When not to use: In a casual or familiar setting where the term might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you send that over, honey?”
You: “I’m fine with just my name.”
14. “Thanks, you’re sweet!”
- Story: A friend called me “honey” during a conversation. I replied, “Thanks, you’re sweet!” to reciprocate the affection in a friendly manner.
- When to use: When you want to acknowledge the term in a positive way.
- When not to use: If you’re uncomfortable with the term or in a more formal setting.
Example:
Person: “You’re doing great, honey!”
You: “Thanks, you’re sweet!”
15. “I prefer a more formal address.”
- Story: A colleague used “honey” in a work email. I responded with, “I prefer a more formal address,” to maintain professionalism.
- When to use: In professional settings where formality is important.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a more casual or friendly context.
Example:
Person: “Can you handle this, honey?”
You: “I prefer a more formal address.”
16. “I’m not sure how to take that.”
- Story: A stranger at an event called me “honey.” I said, “I’m not sure how to take that,” to express my confusion while staying polite.
- When to use: When you’re unsure of the intent behind the term and want to address it diplomatically.
- When not to use: If you’re in a situation where a more straightforward response is needed.
Example:
Person: “You look great today, honey.”
You: “I’m not sure how to take that.”
17. “Thanks, that’s kind of you.”
- Story: During a casual interaction, someone called me “honey.” I replied, “Thanks, that’s kind of you,” to acknowledge their kindness without focusing on the term.
- When to use: When you want to appreciate the sentiment without engaging with the term.
- When not to use: If you prefer to address the term more directly.
Example:
Person: “You’re a star, honey.”
You: “Thanks, that’s kind of you.”
18. “I prefer a more professional tone.”
- Story: A business associate called me “honey” during a meeting. I responded, “I prefer a more professional tone,” to address the term respectfully.
- When to use: In formal or professional settings where you want to maintain a certain level of professionalism.
- When not to use: In casual settings where the term might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you send that over, honey?”
You: “I prefer a more professional tone.”
19. “That’s a bit too personal for me.”
- Story: An acquaintance used “honey” during a casual conversation. I said, “That’s a bit too personal for me,” to address my discomfort directly.
- When to use: When you want to express that the term is too intimate for your comfort level.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a friendly or informal context where it’s more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “You did a great job, honey.”
You: “That’s a bit too personal for me.”
20. “I appreciate your friendliness.”
- Story: A customer service representative called me “honey” while helping me. I replied, “I appreciate your friendliness,” to acknowledge their effort without focusing on the term.
- When to use: When you want to recognize the kindness without engaging in the term.
- When not to use: If you need to address the term more directly.
Example:
Person: “Is there anything else you need, honey?”
You: “I appreciate your friendliness.”
21. “I’m okay with my name, thanks.”
- Story: A colleague used “honey” in a work setting. I responded, “I’m okay with my name, thanks,” to set a boundary politely.
- When to use: When you want to correct the term while staying polite.
- When not to use: If you’re in a casual or familiar setting where the term might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you handle this, honey?”
You: “I’m okay with my name, thanks.”
22. “Thanks for the compliment!”
- Story: A friend called me “honey” while giving me a compliment. I said, “Thanks for the compliment!” to focus on the positive aspect of the interaction.
- When to use: When you want to acknowledge the compliment without engaging with the term itself.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
Example:
Person: “You look great today, honey.”
You: “Thanks for the compliment!”
23. “I prefer to be addressed by name.”
- Story: During a meeting, someone used “honey” to address me. I said, “I prefer to be addressed by name,” to maintain professionalism.
- When to use: In professional settings where formal address is preferred.
- When not to use: In casual or friendly settings where the term might be acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you assist with this, honey?”
You: “I prefer to be addressed by name.”
24. “Thanks for the kind words!”
- Story: A family member called me “honey” during a supportive conversation. I replied, “Thanks for the kind words!” to acknowledge their support.
- When to use: When you want to appreciate the sentiment without focusing on the term.
- When not to use: If you need to address the term directly.
Example:
Person: “You’re doing a great job, honey.”
You: “Thanks for the kind words!”
25. “I’m not a fan of being called that.”
- Story: A coworker used “honey” in a work context. I said, “I’m not a fan of being called that,” to express my discomfort while staying respectful.
- When to use: When you want to address your discomfort directly and set boundaries.
- When not to use: In informal settings where the term might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you handle this, honey?”
You: “I’m not a fan of being called that.”
26. “I prefer more formal address, please.”
- Story: A client used “honey” during a business interaction. I replied, “I prefer more formal address, please,” to maintain professionalism.
- When to use: In formal or professional settings where a more respectful tone is needed.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a casual or friendly manner.
Example:
Person: “Can you review this, honey?”
You: “I prefer more formal address, please.”
27. “Thanks for the affection!”
- Story: A friend called me “honey” while giving me a compliment. I said, “Thanks for the affection!” to acknowledge their friendly gesture.
- When to use: When you want to respond positively without engaging with the term.
- When not to use: If the term feels too personal or if you’re uncomfortable with it.
Example:
Person: “You’re doing great, honey.”
You: “Thanks for the affection!”
28. “I’d prefer if you used my name.”
- Story: A colleague used “honey” in a professional setting. I said, “I’d prefer if you used my name,” to set a clear boundary respectfully.
- When to use: When you want to maintain professionalism and set boundaries.
- When not to use: In casual settings where the term might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you send that over, honey?”
You: “I’d prefer if you used my name.”
29. “Thanks for your kind words!”
- Story: A customer service representative used “honey” during our interaction. I replied, “Thanks for your kind words!” to focus on the positive aspect of their communication.
- When to use: When you want to appreciate the sentiment without focusing on the term.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
Example:
Person: “You’ve been a great help, honey.”
You: “Thanks for your kind words!”
30. “I prefer not to be called that.”
- Story: During a conversation with a client, they used “honey” to address me. I said, “I prefer not to be called that,” to address my preference clearly and politely.
- When to use: When you need to address your preference directly and clearly.
- When not to use: If the term is used in a friendly or informal context where it might be more acceptable.
Example:
Person: “Can you help me with this, honey?”
You: “I prefer not to be called that.”
