why do so many people use "dear"?

Hello lakers247. I think its a term that is fading out here in America..It is still wildly used by the older generation in Canada and some younger as well. I think its meant to be polite and sometimes is nothing more than habit. It has always been used here also to begin letter writing..as in Dear Mr. Soandso... It can also be a term of endearment if using it when addressing our families and friends. However not all are so accepting of this practise. My hubby says it to all females when hes talking, no matter what the age, and hes the most polite person you could ever meet. I beleive for him its become habit when talking to others. I was absolutely shocked one day when we were attending a meeting and my husband used the term "dear" when addressing a professional female, who became quite upset by this. She very quickly said she was not his dear and not to use the term with her again...Well it seems it was such a habit that later on in the conversation, he said it again, not on purpose either, and did she ever get mad!! So my dear..thats the story!..

Dear to me means, caring, you care for somebody. It's like an endearment. But if you say it to a stranger, you will be welcomed with a mix reaction. For me, I like being called dear by my family or my girlfriend. The word alone, means you are dear to them, valuable in other terms.

I think it is basically a habit. I think that people just do it automatically and don't think about the implication of the word dear or the fact that is supposed to mean that someone is in fact dear to you in some way. If you looked at old books on etiquette and letter writing you would see other forms of salutations used. People are just less formal in modern times and they just don't think about stuff like that. I only use dear when it is a personal letter to someone for whom I hold some affection.

I'm from the US, and I use dear a lot... on letters, when one jumps in front of my car... Haha. No seriously though. I always viewed it as just a patronizing way to speak to someone. Or to show someone you like them... in that special way. So, it is a little creepy to me when people call me 'dear' or 'a very adorable person' because I think uhoh! This person wants to go out with me! Haha.