So long as pet names develop organically men are usually cool with them. It's when the pet names are dropped too soon or come across as painfully forced that it becomes annoying or uncomfortable.
In fact, most guys would prefer an organic petname like "Smungle Bips" to "Sweety" IF the "Smungle Bips" was gained through honest means. For example, maybe your man was accosted by a drunk hobo-magician named Smungle Bips, and the name became a special thing for you guys; a name that is rooted in a shared and silly experience.
An honest Smungle is far better then being called "Boo" after ½ a lunch date. "Slow down, Anna. How can I be your boo? We haven't even ordered drinks yet."
Of course, the other side to this whole topic is the pet name is public. Most men don't want to be called boo, Poppsy or Smungle Bips when surrounded by friends or colleagues. Pet names are like... saliva; meant to be exchanged and shared with discretion, not spit out any old time.
Follow these 2 rules: earning the name, and using it with discretion, and your shmuggly wuggly will be as happy slappy as a pookee bear-bear in la la land.
Ok, Kitten?
Wow....never before heard a saliva metaphor in dating....this worked well, A. :)
Lol. This answer is awesome. I call my guy "pookie" and "pookie bear" when I want to tease him. I started doing it after we saw the Wendy's commerical with that stupid ringtone about the pookie bear. (Sometimes I even sing it to him, lol) I know it annoys him but the look on his face cracks me up. And I don't do it in public, I just do it at home to get a rise out of him.
My boyfriend was originally hairy bear, then hibernating bear and once in a fight it morphed into ferocious bear and he died laughing. From there it has progressed to just bear. :D but he resembles one and its not the girliest of pet names so he embraces it well.