What should I call you, hun?

"Kid", "Sweety", "Our Little Sub", "Spanish Teacher", almost everyone in our school office has got their name for me. Some actually call me by my first name or use that official Mrs. ________. I used to hate it when strangers called me "honey" or "sweety" and found it a little patronizing. Used to. Now I learned that as long as the person treats me with due respect, I really don't care that much about how they call me. Of course, the way we call someone reflects our attitude towards them, but sometimes the way you address someone tells as much about you as about your relationship with the person.

When I was younger, my uncle, who is divorced and loves me like his own daughter, called me "govnyashka". My best translation of this into English would be "little piece of shit". Yes, shit. He didn't say poop or crap. In fact, if I said the word, my parents would probably get quite upset, but not with my uncle. He is a simple brute man with a blue-collar attitude, a very big heart, and his own loving terms of endearment.

Go figure.