Thanks “mate” !!!

[Anonymous]

In my family, we have an uncle who calls everyone “mate”, especially people who he was recently introduced to and then had a memory blank with names. I use that term as well when talking to the girls at work and they don’t seem to care about it, probably because I use a polite voice at the time. As for me, I don’t have an issue with it either, I take note of peoples’ voices when they say it and from that I know what context to take it in. At my work as well, it’s a common term in the workshop and on the road so I’m used to it anyhow.

Peta A.

[Adrian]

On a similar note, my daughter always used to talk to her friends (girls) collectively as “guys” (as in “hey guys lets go to the Marly tonight”) . So I started to adopt it subconsciously.

Now when I talk to members of our community in the same way I get some T-Girls reacting with “What do you mean – I’m not a guy”.

My take on it is we are often far to sensitive to words and we don’t take enough notice how it is said. Chill out guys!

[Anonymous]

Back in the early 80s I was living in Sydney with a woman to whom everyone was “mate”. Men, women, lovers. I do occasionally hear women referred to as “mate” by women and less frequently by men. That said I have witnessed or experienced the odd “mate” from a male whose only intention was to show what a clever dick he was in reading you. When it last happened to me I took great comfort in the dirty look he got from his girlfriend-I hope she gave him short rations for a month.

[Anonymous]

I use that same term with anyone I work with, I think is still stands for friendship.

[Anonymous]

mate can be said so many ways….depending on the inflection……

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input….

I am aware of sometimes being too sensitive ….I guess it IS being too sensitive however my only cause for being sensitive is about being read.

I think it’s more about self-doubt really, as passing means everything to me!

I know that women at the school tuckshop call each other mate sometimes.
However, I am more concerned with the term being used in public, from males and usually in a retail situation where I have bought something and only had brief interaction with the sales person.
Is the term now used towards women whereas once it wasn’t ?

Monique

[Anonymous]

I’ve had that sometimes too and I find it very disconcerting. I think is is a general term though these days used for both genders. We may need to desensitise ourselves

[Anonymous]

I tend to not like been called MATE from someone I dont really know or have hardly met. A mate to me is someone that is close enought to be a friend, then I call them my friend.

Yes I am sensitive and the last time a sleezie guy was touching my ass and called me mate put pushed on his ass and was told that I was not his mate, and if he kept touching me and disrespecting me he never would be. He is a lot more shy and respectful now days.

I remember the term soulmate, which is closer than a friend, so I have no idea where the idea of someone you hardly know is your mate. lol

xxx

Kelly Jones

[Anonymous]

I think the term mate and it’s real use have split apart over the past few years. Mate was essentially a male way of expressing a kinship between two, three or a group of good friends. Unfortunately its common use has been diluted to a point where it has become something of a link word or a term that has lost its strength and meaning due to people being unable to communicate in a sufficiently effective manner. I hate being called ‘mate’ in shops etc as it seems to be a term used by those who lack respect for others.

Am I old fashioned to think shop assistants or others feel it is their right to use the term ‘mate’ on a general basis?

Helen

[Anonymous]

call everyone mate as a man, and i’m sure it even comes out when i’m a woman. I have a lady friend that calls everyone mate, so gather its ok to call someone mate.

[Anonymous]

Hi All

One of the Cleaners at my work (The Alice Springs Hospital) calls everyone mate, it is just the way he is, and a t a fw shops in town there is at least one person that calls everyone mate, you tend to hear it alot

Hugs
Sharon

[Anonymous]

Thanks again everyone for your valued input !
Well……just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water…..

….I just got back from the shop tonight (where I sometimes get called ‘mate’ by young male’s on the checkout) …..and theres another young guy who I hadn’t seen before.
After the eftpos nodded with approval…he said …“thanks buddy !”
I noticed a few choice words vigoursly leaving my mouth when I got into the car !!
As I said before, I don’t think I’m being simply oversensetive but, for me, it’s all about PASSING !!
Gee, I have girlfriends that don’t know that I’m Transgendered…..but
“BUDDY” !!! ?? I can’t believe it……what else will I get called….
Digger ? Chief ? Buster ? Dude ? Cobber ?
Now I think it’s a fair statement to say that “Buddy” is definately a male-only nick name, yes?
What are your thoughts ?
Thanks

“Buddy” Monique 😯

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Now I think it’s a fair statement to say that “Buddy” is definately a male-only nick name, yes?
What are your thoughts ?
Thanks

“Buddy” Monique 😯

bit of an old post, but i have female friends who use the terms ‘mate’, ‘buddy’ and ‘dude’ quite frequently, with both male and female friends. very informally, of course. could be a sports thing (we’re dragon boaters!)

just my 2c

cheers
maya