That’s not my name

So, today I have been called a variety of names – sweetheart, petal, love – all by male colleagues.  Do I like this?  No I don’t.  Would be different if these men were my grandfathers or older relatives who had known me all my life but I work with these men.  I even received an email last week, sent to me and a female colleague which started ‘Hello gals’ – this from a man I’ve met once.  Am I being hypersensitive to this or am I justified in my dislike of ‘pet’ names in the office?  The cynical side of me thinks it’s just another example of men trying to assert themselves in the workplace, perhaps threatened by a woman who isn’t there to make the tea and so try to ‘diminish’ my presence by talking to me like a child.  However, the other side of me thinks I’m perhaps being oversensitive and perhaps should not thinks anything of the ‘loves’ and ‘petals’, or should I try it in return and pepper my conversations with the odd ’sweetie’ or ‘chicken’?  Any thoughts?

Slacker

I have slacked.  Set out with all the best of blog intentions but have neglected my blog duty terribly.  Must do better.