Some time ago I was driving into work when I came across a police checkpoint.I, being a law-abiding citizen and having the utmost respect for our boys in blue, slowed down thinking that I would be asked to produce my licence.However, the officer give me a quick look and came to the conclusion that I wasn't on the 'Most Wanted' list, and waved me on.As he did, he said, “That's all right Papa, go ahead.”I stopped. Did I hear right? Did this defender of law who was probably less than half my age just call me “Papa”? Yup, he did 'cause his next command was, “Hey, Papa move it along you're holding up traffic.”Now, I don't ask a lot from people because I don't want to be disappointed, but I do expect a little respect from people half my age. Especially from a group of people like the police who, in order to get their job done, need the respect and cooperation from the public.Calling someone older than you “Papa” is not going about it the right way. I'm sure I would be hastily corrected by our law enforcement officer if I called him youngster or kid.I have seen a growing trend where people are becoming over familiar with strangers. Just the other day I was in a shop when this gentleman walked in and said rather loudly “Hey, honey where's the men's department?”The sales lady promptly replied, “Through there, Sir.”His response was: “Thanks sweetie.”I don't know if he thinks that he's being cute or thinks himself God's gift to women, but to me it came across as showing no respect to the sales lady.It was also probably a bit intimidating for a young sales lady to have a burly man that she doesn't know, calling her 'sweetie'.Of course it can happen the other way. My wife said it was time for me to get a new pair of shoes.She has this thing about the flapping noise that a shoe makes when the sole becomes unglued. So I'm in the shop checking out the latest styles when a rather attractive sales lady comes up to me and says: “Hello darling, can I help you?”This, of course, caught the attention of the missus. She gave the sales lady a second look, then looked me up and down and came to the conclusion that there was no immediate threat there. At least I was pretty sure that's what she was thinking.“She did let out a sigh though and a disappointed look came across her face. I think I heard her mutter something like, “Oh well, I'm still stuck with him.”This over familiarity has also found its way into the workplace. We just hired a new female employee. Whenever she had a question for me she would always refer to me as 'darling' or 'honey'.I put it down to possibly meaning that I made her feel at ease and secure and that she may have a crush on my father-figure personae.Still, as I felt that the workplace was not the place for these informalities, I decided that I would sit her down and have a talk.I broke it to her gently no matter what feelings she had for me, and I completely understood her emotions, this was a workplace. I explained that she really had to try to conceal her feelings for me.It was at that time she revealed that the reason for addressing me in such a manner was because she kept forgetting my name! I suppose there's worse things people can call you when they forget your name, like 'Hey, what's your face?”