I get called hon and sweety all the time, What do people mean when they call me that?

Yeah, it’s assuming a level of intimacy that doesn’t exist. Almost like a passive aggressive grooming of sorts.

It's probably a verbal tic with little to no emotional meaning.

It can also be intended to minimize you as a child or dependent.

Example of verbal tic: Waitresses. (More coffee, hon?")

Example of minimization - People in power who see you as an insignificant child. ("Thank you for getting signatures on that big contract, now run along.")

They are both terms of endearment
I call both my male and female friends sweet or hun

Try not to read too much into that. My dad was a fine wine and liquors vendor in the movie colony of Palm Springs CA. he called just about all of them either honey or sweetie. He hugged the women. He hugged the men. Movie folks just like being affectionate overall. Only once was there a problem when he called Lucille Ball "Honey" she bristled and said, "How dare you assume to be familiar with me" But that was ONE incident out of the countless "stars" he knew.

I get called that all the time. They probably think you are cute.

Like all language, region and intent are what matters. People in the south and in rural areas use "Hon" quite a bit. Sweety is kind of the same thing. Ive seen a lot of moms use versions "sweety" a lot, likely because they use it so much around their kids.
Some men that use "sweety" could absolutely be hitting on you or just being creepy.

Words always mean whatever the person stating them means, which can sometimes mean something different than the true sense.

Hon and Sweety (especially sweetie, as I always use it) are terms of endearment, which is how I've always used them...

So, for me, they're a lovely thing to say...

😘

Usually that means I'm at a restaurant and there is an older waitress, getting us stuff, and just her way of being friendly.

if its a older person it was common in the time and i still do it every once in a while . habit.. now if its a younger person . it maybe someone making a pass .

It depends on context and where you are, often in the USA South it is derogatory, condescending.

It depends where you live. In the south, it's just a term of endearment. Everyone calls you sweetie, baby, hon, etc. down here

Ive noticed most of the people who do that do the same to everyone. Its usually nothing personal towards you

Is it mostly men saying it?

I get called that too, but mostly by older women.

Where I live, it's pretty common. I think it's more of a habit for most people.

They’re terms of affection, usually, when coming from people who know you.

Hmm good question 🤔 Maybe some of them have no meaning other than to be friendly. I don't know about the others tho

Seems like a regional thing to a degree, but in any event you really can't assume the meaning or intent is the same from one person to the next, so if it is important enough for you to know, you should just directly ask the specific person using it in a specific place and context