Why would a guy friend start calling you "my dear"?

[Anonymous]

A good guy friend of mine just recently started referring to me as "my dear", primarily when saying goodbye. It isn't because he doesn't know my name or forgot it. He will sometimes use my name with that phrase (like "____ my dear" or "my dear ____"). He hadn't ever done that before. He just started doing it. He also hugs me a lot (at least 2-3 times a visit) and they are long, tight/close hugs.

Opinions/input?

[QuietVerbena]

I think he likes you

[Asker]

Since last week, he does the "my dear" thing every time we are ready to part ways. We typically have a group hang out every weekend and he always wants to talk to me and hug me at least twice, sometimes more (like a hello and goodbye). He's been throwing in an extra goodbye hug as well. Like Friday night, he hugged me really long and tight goodbye, then when we broke apart, he grabbed me back again for another hug. He will smile and say hello as soon as I enter the room. When he goes for the hug goodbye, he says "my dear" or uses my name along with it then goes for the hug and tells me to be safe and he'll see me whenever we're meeting again. I will say he doesn't really text me though.

[Anonymous]

he's' crushing on you?

[Asker]

Since last week, he does the "my dear" thing every time we are ready to part ways. We typically have a group hang out every weekend and he always wants to talk to me and hug me at least twice, sometimes more (like a hello and goodbye). He's been throwing in an extra goodbye hug as well. Like Friday night, he hugged me really long and tight goodbye, then when we broke apart, he grabbed me back again for another hug. He will smile and say hello as soon as I enter the room. When he goes for the hug goodbye, he says "my dear" or uses my name along with it then goes for the hug and tells me to be safe and he'll see me whenever we're meeting again.

He does not text me though which is odd. But he is not much of a technology guy.