I've been working as a secretary at my company for over 8 years. I love my job, but the problem is my new manager - he was promoted into this position about 8 months ago. I don't know if he's being sexist or if I'm just being oversensitive and need to adjust to his different style of management.

He hasn't done anything that would count as harassment I think, but he does make comments that take me back. The most outrageous one was the day I had to take my child to the doctor - my husband couldn't - and he said: "You'll have to take a half-day off work. I'm tired of women doing this all the time..."

I have to admit, I was taken aback. He slips in small derogatory comments like this all the time. "Why are you in a bad mood? PMS, babe?"

I even hate the fact that he refers to me as "babe" or "sweety" or "sugar". I'm sure he's trying to be friendly, but I don't think he should be able to address me in terms that he would never use if I was a guy. Am I being over-sensitive?

I'm scared to confront him about it, because he may not even notice that he does it. What if he's offended? What if he starts thinking that I have a vendetta against him?

I've spoken to other women in the office (on the down low, of course) and they don't seem to have any problems with him. Maybe it's just because I'm the person who works with him most often. I'm also the only woman who reports directly to him... I don't know what to think and these small comments are really starting to get to me.

I don't want to quit, but what should I do about this situation? It's starting to make me uncomfortable.