I can't tell you how many times (in the South and Southeast US) I've been called "dear" or "hon" or "honey" or "sweetheart" or "darlin'" (you have to leave off the final 'g') or something similar by waitresses.
See, I think that's nice! However, that's the kind of thing that's increasingly being discouraged here. I've lived in various places in the UK, and been called, "Luv", "Duck", "Hen" and "Dear". However, there are companies (and I have a bus company particularly in mind) that are discouraging the use of these kinds of endearments in case they offend.
I, for one, miss them. They seem far more natural than: "Have a nice day!" (NOt that I've ever heard a bus driver say that, though...)
Chris
