Calling Women "Darling, Dear, Love" etc.

[Tablerat]

This post is a spin-off from this thread by DMACM about calling dudes "chief, boss, sport" etc.

Also in a thread about a Seinfeld episode ("The Diplomat Club"), MattSuspect commented that George calls all women "dear".

I can't bring myself to address a woman by anything other than her name or, rarely, "ma'am". It just feels and sounds awkward, but I hear it all the time in casinos for example. Is there some age barrier that you cross and then suddenly call random women "dear, love, hon, darling" etc? Usually this best applies to women in service type jobs, especially waitresses. And I would guess that this is now somewhat obsolete in the workplace.

So what's your go-to phrase for women? Or are you like me and just don't bother or feel awkward saying "thanks darling" when you get your $3 Corona? Thoughts?