In Britain there we have a funny habit that will either make you wonder what on earth is going on, or make you feel right at home! 'Pet names' have developed across each part of each of the countries. You'll hear the little old man in the local shop say "There you go love" as they hand you your biscuits, though you've never been to their shop before. Hairdressers and waitresses will greet you with "Hello my love" or "Hihon'". Strangers will say "Cheers sweetie!"if you do something to help; boys will call to each other "Alright mate!”. These words are used so often in fact, that in some parts of the country, you might notice more if they are not used than when they are! Many foreigners to Britain find these terms of endearment to strangers really eccentric when they first arrive, but grow to realize that they are simply ways of showing friendliness; and many of us miss these little terms a lot when we move elsewhere!
英国有一个非常有趣的习俗，会让人们有两种极端的反应——这究竟是怎么回事或是宾至如归的感觉。英国的各个地方的人都会使用昵称，如在本地商店的老人递给你饼干时，可能会说“给你，亲爱的。”虽然事实上这是你第一次光临这个商店。美发师与女招待跟你打招呼的时候也会说“你好，我的爱人”或“嗨，亲爱的。”如果你帮助了陌生人，他们会跟你说“谢谢，甜心！”而男孩们则会互称为“好伙计！”这些昵称的使用是如此频繁，以至于在一些地方，你已经习惯了这些称呼，而当别人没有使用时，你马上就会再注意到。许多来到英国的外国人刚来时觉得对陌生人使用这种爱称是非常奇怪的，但渐渐地，他们就会发现这些爱称只是为了显示他们的友好之情；当你搬到别的地方时，还会怀念这种昵称呢！
These litt le terms of endearment can be used in public, by anyone, at almost any time. Usually people who deal with a lot of general public will use pet names just as a natural part of speech: waitresses, shop keepers, hairdressers, car mechanics, builders, workmen. People in professional environments tend not to use them so much! It's a kind of casual language, but people who work in environments where there's no need to be formal, will just use them in every part of life, with friends, family and probably with you, if you are ever in Britain!
任何人几乎任何时候都可以在公开场合使用昵称。一般情况下，昵称会成为服务行业人员的口头禅，这些行业的人有女招待、店主、美发师、汽车修理师、施工人员以及工人等。在一些比较职业的场合，人们使用昵称的频率会低很多！昵称不是一种正式的语言，但是如果人们的工作环境没有那么正式，他们也常常会对朋友、家人甚至身在英国的你使用昵称。
So the rules on using these words are, only when you feel comfortable! How you use them and how often are really just a reflection of personal taste. Some people use them all the time (e.g. shop keepers/ waitresses), others, just when they feel like it, or around friends. Avoid using them in professional environments, such as at business meetings, although, even here, you may not always be safe from hearing them!
所以只要你愿意，你就可以使用这些昵称！你怎么使用或使用的频率通常反映你的个人品位。有些人会一直将其挂在嘴边（如店主或者女招待），而有些人只在愿意的时候或者与朋友之间才会使用。在商务会议这种商务环境中最好避免使用这些昵称，尽管有时在这种场合你也避免不了会听到这样的称呼！
