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I usually greet my friends in many different ways, like Hola, guapa / bonita / amiga / etc.
Sometimes with really close friends I would also use Hola, princesa! in a more perky way.
But is it OK to use cariño for non-family members, even if those people are very good and close friends to you? I'm not really sure how much affection is applied by this word.
In Mexico is not a word a man would use for anybody but a spouse or daughter, not even a son. For women is different, they would use it way more often and also depends on the socioeconomic level (amongst high-middle class it would be acceptable) (copy & pasted from above)
it depends also on the context, for example in Spain between friends, or in a relaxed environment, is OK and pretty common, but in a (formal) work environment it can be seen as a sexist comment, pretty much like your boss saying "honey" or "princess" to a girl in a meeting.
I agree that it depends a lot on the country and even region.
In some places I have seen "cariño" used among close frinds, mostly women. Also I have it seen used to mark distance (a superior woman calling an inferior "cariño" as a sign of superiority like the one has over her children).
It depends highly on
So I'd ask directly if the use would be OK among your group.
