I'm sure I've posted something about this quite a while ago but it just seems to be getting worse.  And maybe its just me that this bothers so I wanted to get some views on this. 

It seems that somewhere along the line its become acceptable to address a complete stranger as "hon."  When did this happen?   It used to be that maybe an elderly sales clerk would call a younger women "hon."  But now its everywhere.  This has happened to me when calling a company on the phone (ok, I do sound young on the phone), cashiers in the grocery store call me hon,waiters, strangers on the street, etc.  But what I think annoys me the most is that its generally young people that do it.  When did it become acceptable for a 20 year old (or even younger!) to call a 50+ woman "hon?" 

Not too long ago as I was leaving a drive thru at a fast food establishment the young woman at the window said "thanks, hon, and have a great day!"   I responded, "thanks, babe!" and drove away.  

Does this happen to any of you?  Does it happen to men?