I’m with Ashley, though I don’t think it’s sexist; I think it’s rude and condescending..
Whatever you do, never, ever ever call me “dear.” I’ve been going ballistic about this since my English Lit professor in college answered my questions with “My dear girl.....” No clue what he was going to say, as I shouted at him, “I am NOT your dear girl...” Been trying to educate the public ever since.
Grrrrrrr
My goodness Veto.....I hope we never meet because I just might call you Sweetie, Dear or Hon. That’s my way of saying I appreciate you especially salespeople, checkers, waitresses, waiters, well you get the picture. If you aren’t nice then I’m forced to ask who pissed in your Wheaties....thank goodness I don’t have to say that very much.
It is how someone says the words not the words themselves. Some bimbett clerk called me sweetie the other day and it was just a salutation. My wife heard her and said I hope I don’t have anything to worry about as she laughed.