Damn, go out of town on business and miss all the good threads! This is an interesting one. At first glance, one might think Samantha is being a little, uh, "inflexible" with her social etiquette requirements given the context of this profession. I've met Samantha, and once you've received that "OK" from her, she couldn't be sweeter or of a more engaging personality going forward. Plus, she's a rampaging sex machine, so if there was any personality defect to speak of, you just wouldn't let it bother you. (ha)
I'm not really putting on the white armor or saddling up the trusty steed on Samantha's behalf, just trying to provide some insight. She's got some pet peeves that you need to work around if you would like to see her and she's enlightening anyone interested.
And, as far as the whole point of the thread, I cast my vote as it's a cultural thing. My Mother still calls me "Honey" and "Sweetie", and I remember my Grandmother calling me "Sugarbritches" or "Fart Blossom". (don't ask me why) My GF calls me "Babe". When I lived up north, I don't remember anyone using pet names. It's just one of those bourgeois southern things.