[chicka]

I tend to use the term my friend when talking to folks but it's usually after I've met them and talked to them a couple of times or did business at their place of business. Mainly because if I can buy it at the corner store and give the little guy the business instead of the big chains then I will and I encourage others to do the same. So since I've interacted with him or her why not address them as friend or by their given name if I know it or if they're wearing a "big tricked out name tag" (ie: Flo).....