A bus company is warning drivers to not call passengers 'babe' in a bid to avoid lawsuits from offended women.

in a bid to: 为了…

Brighton & Hove Buses posted warnings to drivers in its head offices after a complaint from a woman who said she felt insulted by being called 'babe' when she boarded a bus.

The company also warned drivers they could face the sack if they call passengers 'love' or 'darling'.

sack: 解雇

One employee, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's just the height of political correctness. The drivers know how to best speak to customers.

political correctness: 识时务；合时宜

'People don't want their drivers to be robots. What is the world coming to when you can't have a bit of friendly banter with passengers?'

banter: 开玩笑；说笑

The sign reads: 'Please can drivers be aware that some of our customers may take offence at having terms such as "love", "darling" and "babe" directed towards them.

take offence at: 因……而生气

'This can be seen by some as being a sexist comment, as a recent complaint has highlighted.'

Managing director Roger French said: 'A lady complained to us that she thought the language used by a driver was demeaning to her.

demean: 贬低...的身分；举止

'We take a lot of customer feedback so we thought we would pass this on. The drivers will understand and take it in good spirit.'

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