The term "dear" is a gesture that can be used to address someone who is maybe so familiar or not so familiar with you. It is a sign of respect and an endearment to someone. The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example, it can be used to address a boss in an organisation, or a casual friend in a non-formal environment, or a crush intended for a relationship. There is nothing wrong if a casual man uses my dear for a lady he's just meeting for the first time. It's part of the little ways of showing respect without being boring. Hi there, hello dear, hi dear are all good conversation starters, and it works perfectly for lots of people ... No one wants a boring or rude conversation anyways....... Cheers!