For example, a person (regardless of gender or age) addresses a woman aged 30-40 as "young lady." Nothing bad happens because of this; on the contrary, it immediately puts the woman in a good mood, and some might even think, "I still have something going for me." In short, it's a small thing that can brighten someone's day.
"MILF hunters," like Alex, understand this perfectly well. And they aren't necessarily MILF hunters. They are simply polite people.

