Being called "love", "mate" or "darling" by strangers
What it really means
Shopkeepers, bus drivers and market sellers often call customers "love", "darling", "mate", "pet" or "duck" depending on the region. From strangers in these roles it's friendly, not flirting or disrespect. You don't need to use these words back — a normal "thanks" is fine.
Context, tips & common mistakes
Britain runs on affectionate address from strangers: 'love', 'darling', 'sweetheart' from market traders and bus drivers, 'mate' and 'pal' between men (and increasingly everyone), plus a glorious regional map — 'duck' in the East Midlands, 'pet' in the North East, 'hen' in Scotland, 'my lover' in the West Country, 'bab' in Birmingham. None of it is flirtation, disrespect or over-familiarity; it is warmth in its local dialect, and the correct response is simply to carry on as normal.
The usage rules for you: receiving is universal, but deploying them yourself needs care — 'mate' among peers is safe once you feel the rhythm, but calling your manager 'mate' before they use it with you, or 'love' across a power or gender gap, can misfire. If a term genuinely bothers you, no response is needed beyond ignoring it; the speaker attaches no meaning to it whatsoever.