Things like that don't bother me if they are said by someone I like or am friends with. I have a friend in work, a woman in her fifties who calls people 'Babes' but it seems to fit her nature because she is so likeable and kind..
I don't like it when complete strangers call me names like that or 'love' - that really irritates me. But used in a friendly way, by a friend, I think it is nice. I quite often say 'Hey are you ok hon?' if someone I care about is abit down - I don't see that as a problem.
