Terms of Endearment

Back in the day, people addressed you by your first name unless you actually meant something to them. But nowadays, any random can gain the title of "boo" "babe" "hun" "sweetheart" and the list goes on. These terms of "endearment" add further complication to relationships and the understanding of your position in a person's life. This doesn't only apply to men. Women are guilty as well. I know I will call almost anyone boo, but babe, sweetheart and nicknames I created specifically for the person actually carry some form of undertone to them. & when it comes to baby -- that is off limits unless the person seriously means something to me... 

Although, all the terms listed above are generic and widely used, referring to someone as the previous carries meaning. Just as you wouldn't go around claiming people as your boyfriend or girlfriend, you wouldn't go around calling someone your boo or baby unless it meant something or you were okay with the implications behind using the terminology. So, is the true test when a person refers to you with one of those "terms of endearment" in public or are terms of endearment no longer a public profession? 

This just brings me back to how complicated our society has become. Everyone speaks in circles, nothing ever means what it sounds like it means. Life's a game and it takes awhile for some people to realize they're playing.