These words ARE commonly used all the time in the US, in a variety of different situations. I will give you just a few examples, but certainly there are many others: "Baby" is of course used all the time by boys to their girlfriends and girls to their boyfriends, in situations that range from playful ("Oh, come on, baby, don't be that way!") to passionate ("Oh baby! yes! yes!"). Sometimes it is shortened to "babe" and is used by young married couples also. You will also hear "baby" from mothers to very young children ("OK, baby, time for bed!" ; "Oh baby! did you hurt yourself?")' "Dear" is more "mature" sounding, something you will hear from older couples, when they are clearly no longer "babies" or "babes". It is just an affectionate term used in casual conversation ("Would you like some coffee, dear?"), but can also be used to indicate irritation with one's mate ("Yes, DEAR, I heard you the first time!"). You might also hear older people use it with young people they don't know by name. "sweety" has more limited use, maybe wife to husband ("Hi, sweety! Your home early!" -- "honey" can also work there); parent to very young child ("Oh come on, sweety, finish your breakfast for mommy.") or, again, any older person to a child they don't know by name. It might be used more by females, but I had a male teacher friend who used it with some female students, but not in a bad way -- he felt genuine father/daughter affection for them and he had their respect and affection in return. I did not cover all possibilities, but you get the idea. As you might be able to tell from the first two answers, SOME men are less inclined use terms of endearment, while others use them naturally and with sincerity.

I rarely use these words but when it comes to to the meaning of them to me, I would say they are caring, passionate, romantic words.

Rarely. Too much sugar makes you sick. Just a little is nice.