Self-Survey Part II and change (A Quick One, While He's Away)

Why do I refer to so many people in the diminutive? It's kind of a weird habit. Certainly it's not out of disrespect or condescension, so hopefully people don't take it that way (my apologies if you do/did). No one seems to mind particularly, at least not to the point where anyone's told me to stop (feel free to do so anytime). In many cases affection is a contributing factor, but I don't just do this with my close friends or family. There usually has to be some degree of prior connection, but not always. It does give me a somewhat comforting sense of familiarity, but I can't think of why I'd need to feel familiar with people I don't and won't know. Any thoughts?