What is it with calling older women "momma" when they are customers at a business?

[intheflow]

69. I feel like the majority of DUers on this thread must lead very insular lives.

I (62 yo white woman) have been called Mama, Mami, and Mommy by strangers since my hair started going grey in my 30s. It's akin to terms like "honey," "babe," and "sweetie" that have fallen out of favor. I've heard it mostly from Latinos (here in Massachusetts and also in Colorado and Mississippi), and younger black folk, and I feel like it arose through Latino culture (and maybe Afro-Latino culture) from the Spanish mami (mommy), as in this Urban Dictionary definition from 2006:

Mami
{{IS A SPANISH WORD}}Mainly used by Dominicans, Puerto Ricans,Cubans & Other. These are the countries that originally used this as more of a slang term.Can be used with kids,Partner{female}.Similar 2 Hun,Boo,Girl,Baby .{males Refer to females:Mami}{females refer to males : Papi}

Now this word is being used by non-spanish speaking people
{spanglish}, Can be used by anyone{short form is Ma}
{males Refer to females:Mami}{females refer to males : Papi}
{Mami example 1}
Guy:How u doin mami?___how u doin honey
Girl:Im good

{Example 2 Different Context Meaning beautiful women.}
Guy:Woah Que Mami.

{Example 3. Use with children}
Mother:Mami how was school today?
Daughter: It was Good.
by x_Tha_Latina January 29, 2006

Personally, as long as no one is calling me a b*tch, c*nt, wh*re, etc., I'm cool. No harm is meant.