Don't call me dear

I got mistaken for a 17 year old the other day which was quite flattering. However, looking younger than I am isn’t always an advantage, particularly when shop assistants (particularly when they are women of a certain age) start being quite patronising. I went shopping recently with Michael in a local department store – he was asked “Can I help you, sir?” whereas I was asked things like “Are you all right there, dear?” or “Do you need a bag, love?” which left me fuming. It’s not endearing, it’s patronising and annoying and I wish people would just stop doing it.