Ha Ha Ha Jmo, you are funny. I call people sweetie or darling in a very loving way and I have to admit that when I saw that I was scared too. In fact, I have 2 younger co-workers I call sweet pea. I call my 83 year old friend honey. I am not from the south but I come from a place where no love was shown and to be able to address people in this way allows me to show my feelings and validate that the world can be a loving place.