I read yorkpetes post last night and thought nothing of it but thought I would let others reply. However looking now it seems some are offended by this. So my two penn'oth....
I think this was misconception and the men were from the N.E. For 'love' you could insert madam. Means exactly the same thing. He would be offering her a seat as he would feel uncomfortable sitting if a lady was standing. Rather than a sexual connotation. Also up here everyone talks to each other, in a queue, on a bus etc. It isn't odd. If I showed this post to people the general conception would be 'she had a stick up her back____!'
So sorry for the essay but I am trying to stop this descending into anarchy