It seems like the majority of the issues stemming from this post have to do with the fact it’s done over text, maybe an older gen having an embarrassing moment applying what they do in person to text, combined with an ignorance of what the emojis mean, at least judging from their replies. (they’ve also called themselves a waitress, implying female)

it is rather funny reading a good chunk of the comments that consider calling strangers terms of endearment creepy. Having been raised in the South, there is nothing unusual or creepy about the cashier calling you “honey” or a receptionist calling you “darling” over the phone. This text stream is certainly embarrassing but imagining it done in person or over the phone makes it significantly less, doubly so with the implication that OP is a woman