How to address a child?

[leggysoe]

I'm an Italian immigrant and just started working as a medical assistant in local children's hospital.
I noticed that most nurses call their patients 'honey', 'sweetheart', 'hun', 'dear' etc...but I, as a male, don't feel comfortable with those endearments.
Aren't those dictions too femine? I don't know since I'm not very comfortable with English language. Maybe b/c I've rarely seen those terms used by guys.(except for their spouses)

How should I call them? Let me know, thanks

 

[pulse8]

Buddy?

 

[Sukhoi]

Dude.

 

[ChaoZ]

Their name is good enough.

 

[leggysoe]

Originally posted by: pulse8
Buddy?

yeah that's what I've been using to male childrens...how bout girls?

also, is 'kiddo' ok?

 

[Nik]

Bud is a winner. So is "hey you" and "runt".

 

[MyThirdEye]

Bro.

 

[George P Burdell]

Observe a few male nurses and see how they address their younger patients.

 

[CPA]

You don't want to know what I call my sons.

 

[Deeko]

'pal', 'bud', 'jerkstore'

 

[FoBoT]

buddy and kiddo are fine
and their name

i think "squirt" is ok, but maybe "old fashioned"

 

[Queasy]

Using honey, sweetheart, hun, dear is OK if you are using it on girls. Not for boys.

Use bud, buddy, kiddo, champ, dude, cool guy, and other masculine nicknames for boys.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'd say honey is acceptable to female patients that know you, but not on your first encounter. "Friend" seems like a good one for any gender at any time.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Yo, rugrat.

 

[Tylanner]

hey big guy

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

I prefer little bastard. I have a way with kids

 

[HannibalX]

I prefer "hey you" or "god damnit".

 

[Leros]

Hey sexy

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: Leros
Hey sexy

:frown:
wrong

 

[mrSHEiK124]

For a boy, champ, for a girl, I'd say hun is your best bet.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei

Originally posted by: Leros
Hey sexy

:frown:
wrong

oh god take a joke

 

[JasonCoder]

sport

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Little fucker.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei

Originally posted by: Leros
Hey sexy

:frown:
wrong

ROFLMFAO!

 

[biggestmuff]

Pisano? Guido?