Around Baltimore we use “hon” a lot, and yes some people say they would be offended by it, like it’s patronizing. We’re just being a bit friendly!
That's true, hon.
South Philly Italians call both males and females of all ages "mommy" as a term of friendly banter. I've heard a grown man walking down the street holding his male toddler by the hand and saying, "C'mon, mommy."
The other South Philly equivalent to "hon" is "doll." That's for total strangers, like the x-ray technician at Jefferson Hospital to a patient, or the cashier at the Wawa to a customer. But if you know someone even slightly, and especially if you recognize and like someone but don't know their name, you might say "dollface."
IIRC in Baltimore “hon” is not sexist. I have had waitresses use it with meme and I’m a guy. Whenever anyone uses it in Colorado I ask if they are from the east.
Oh and brown gravy in french fries.