For the most part, I don't mind them. I use them at times with my friends or those I care about or like very much. However, I have also been known to use them sarcastically when addressing someone I don't respect, just to sort of poke at them.

And I'm not overly fond of having someone who has power over me, often men, use those endearments. I think in some settings, it's degrading to the woman. I feel put in my place, so to speak, when it happens to me. Kind of like George Bush giving that shoulder rub to the German Chancellor, a woman, at the G8 summit recently. She flailed in surprise. I'm sure he was just trying to be "good ol' boy charming", but I found it very disrespectful to treat the only woman in the room that way in front of her peers. If he'd tried that with any of the men, I think they'd react differently. (Kapow!) So I see the use of endearments and that kind of inappropriate touching in business and professional settings as demeaning. But that's just me.

I can think of a couple of times when someone special used a term like that to me when I was young. It meant the world to me, then. I think there still can be those meaningful moments even when the terms are overused. I think you'll feel it when it's authentic.

Interesting topic.

gg