Baby Girl?

When did it become a turn on or even attractive to use the term "baby girl" when referring to a woman? (And what does this have to do with running, right?)

At the start of my daily runs, I head north on my street and happen through my "town," which has a pretty lively nightlife that often extends into the early hours of my run, on Fridays and Saturdays mostly. But today -- Thursday -- I run past a group of three guys (early 20s, I guess) who call out to me "Hey, baby girl!" "Hey, baby girl." (I don't reply and they mumble something.) Sadly this is not the first time someone has referred to me as "baby girl," but I had a good three miles to over-contemplate the encounter and I'm left baffled. What did these guys hope to accomplish? Was I going to stop my training to say, "Hey, big boys how's that corner treatin' you?" And then what?

Whatever the desired outcome, I'm more concerned that we -- women -- have somehow made it OK to be referred to as one might a child. Why is it that a man is a "big daddy" (don't get me started on that one), but women are "baby girls?" I guess it's all part of the gross incest theme of sexual relations in our society. When did that happen? Perhaps I should do more research. I'd much prefer a man (or woman) call me "Michelle" with a loving glance than any of these weird terms of endearment.

(end of rant)

And the run? I ran today because by the time I got home last night my head was hurting and I didn't feel like running. (I did a yoga DVD instead.) This mornings run was OK. It started off slow, but got better as I hit mile one. My knee was a little sore after, but nothing a little ice didn't help.