Man, Dude, Bro, Mate, Buddy, etc.

I like it. Better than "hey, gurrrrlll"

When straight guys call me "Babe," as they do on occasion, I always blush.

It's hard not to roll your eyes when you hear other people calling eachother babe

I FUCKING DETEST "Bro". I cringe inwardly. The others? Whatever. I don't care.

I've crushed on two straight coworkers over the years who knew it, and were very good about it, R2. They both actually did that to me as well, because I'm typically dark, sarcastic and hard to embarass...except when they called me that. And of course, they'd throw it into an otherwise offhand dialogue.

I eventually lived it down, but those who didn't see me blush, didn't believe it had happened.

I love man speak.

I use babe to demean another man in a group. I’m on the south and they don’t know what to do.

I especially hate it when porn whore Griffin Barrows uses it.

"Bro" is a huge turnoff and I'll just walk away but being addressed as "Babe" or "Gurl" would call for a straight punch to the throat.

How about "sweetheart" and "baby" like old-time gangster and showbiz types used to use?

I like any of them.

The rest are ok except "Bro". My cousin's husband is English and calls me and all his friends "mate" so it's fair. I don't mind "Dude" too much because it is so prevalent in LA and guys and girls say it offhand. "Bro" is something a few guys who I know in the Valley sometimes use to tell you something extreme that happened to them...usually pretty young guys. Anyway, if said by the right person and at the right time, it's ok. Not elegant, but ok.

I'm okay with any of them, although they're used pretty rarely to refer to me.

sugar britches, hunny, darlin' and boo are my go tos with uptight straight men. They do not appreciate it nearly as much as I do.

Darling. Or dahlink, if I want to go full zsazsa.

R3, I'm talking about the way straight men say "babe" to each other (and on occasion to me) without a sexual element attached. Or at least an overt one.

I cringe at the word when it's a married or dating couple. But I'll take a casual, shrugged-off but obviously intentional "babe" from a pal over a "mate," "bro" or (gag) "dude" any day.

Elder gay here...I’m fine with any of them...it’s just part of common vernacular now.

Man - i know that. Why do u have to keep remind me that? Dude - don't downgrade me to dude. Am more special than that Bro - hell no. U aint my sibling Mate - somewhat ok but same as dude Buddy - weird

Babe - anytime ok Gurl - anytime ok if used by fellow sisters

I prefer, “Heifer!”

I'm well into middle age. "Man" is the only acceptable one on the list. "Dude" is fine only when talking about someone, not addressing them directly.

"Mate" and "bloke" belong to foreign cultures, eg. British and Australian. Therefore, they are unacceptable.

Nothing more ridiculous than an older guy using young people's slang, eg. "bro".

I'm with many of the others. "Bro" is the only one that grates on me. The others are fine.

I hate Bro. It’s a bonding term between straight men living the bro culture. I am a man, but will never be a Bro, so don’t call me one.

Why do effeminates hate “bro” so much? Everyone else in modern society seems to be cool with it, including females. Do effeminates also hate “brah,” “bruh,” “son,” and boss which are also wildly popular now?

[quote] When straight guys call me "Babe," as they do on occasion, I always blush.

I've never, ever heard a straight man call another man "babe." This must be something new.

R23, I’ve heard it many times. However, young urban dudes are much more likely today to call a dude “baby” than “babe.”

I use dude constantly, for men and women. In my defense I've been stoned since 1996.

I prefer being addressed as "daddy" or, on occasion, "sir."

I both love and use ‘mate’ but I’m Australian so have been hearing and using them all my life.

[quote]Why do effeminates hate “bro” so much?

Anyone who calls someone "bro" without thinking is at least partially retarded. Double retard points if a guy uses it to both begin AND end bis sentences.

I prefer “Sugar tits,” or a simple, “Hey, cunt.”

his*

All stupid, lazy and homophobic. If you know my first name, use it. It doesn't make us necessarily intimate. Men really want to be with other men, yet are afraid of what it looks like to others.

Dude. Connotes idiot in the right context. Like, "Man, don't you get it? "

R31, you have issues, dude.

Anyone using these words who is over the age of 29 has issues,

You must be miserable if you are American and have problems with these ubiquitous words.

There are far worse words to be called. What I do detest is when bitchy gays address each other as “she” or “her”. I find it misogynistic and a symptom of internalised homophobia. If they did that to me they’d only do it once.

Yep, I avoid guys that refer to males as “she/her/girl.” It’s a clear sign it’s someone I don’t want to be around.

A middle-aged straight Italian friend of mine uses "boss" instead of "dude", "mate" or any of the other filler words. I found it odd at first but I have gotten used to it now and like it better than the other words.

Boss is huge in America, r38. You had not noticed?

I don't live in America these days, R39.

r38 "boss" is sooo middle-aged straight Italian.

I’m not your buddy, guy.

“Buddy” is very starchy white guy. Black guys don’t say it

“Bro” has been irreparably damaged by its automatic association with douchey, self-sucking frat guys and try-hard, insecure, over-compensating nerds who try to “fit in”.

Not really. The word is now used almost universally in the States by a wide demographic cross section.

No, really.

[quote] The word is now used almost universally in the States by a wide demographic cross section.

It's used "universally" among younger generations often in jest or as shade. Especially on Reddit: "Now hang on there, BRO." - "I'm not your "bro" "! And older generations don't use it that much. So hardly "universally". Wake me up when Biden says "bro" without laughing inside.

Biden says “man.”

The worst, and most condescending, is guy. Hey guy, what's your problem?

"Bro" makes mama's messy wet.

mussy^

What about chap? My gay uncle born in 1930 lived and played in Montreal, and often peppered his anecdotes with, "That chap over there seems..."

Or, "I know a chap who..."

Is use of chap kind of British?

Isn't the use of chap typically a middle or upper middle-class affectation in the UK?

"What I do detest is when bitchy gays address each other as “she” or “her”. I find it misogynistic and a symptom of internalised homophobia. If they did that to me they’d only do it once."

Ooooh...get HER!!! All right, Miss Thing!!

Who died and made HER queen...???

Guuuuurrrrlll...you are a TOTAL bitch!!!

I do love being called names such as baby doll, sweetie pie, honey child, vision of loveliness, virgin goddess, and my lady.

hehe.....all so true.

I’m black, and i bristle when white Dudes who don’t know me call me brother

Those are terms of endearment straight guys use when they recognize one of their own. They don't say them to gay men.

I *adore* dudes!

Mate/Lad/Bloke are cutesy pet name slang

Unrelated, but ARSE is the worst term and least descriptive to describe ASS.

You need two of the same letters representing each cheek: ASS, REAR, BUTT, SHITTER, POOPER

buttbuddy

Mary!

FWIW R55, I and many other white dudes cringe when we see another white dude do that too.

Even worse is when they tack a "my" on it. "My bruthuh"

I use those terms all the time and so do my friends.

What's the issue?

The worst term used by American straight men of all ages is calling everyone DAWG

[quote] Why do effeminates hate “bro” so much? Everyone else in modern society seems to be cool with it, including females. Do effeminates also hate “brah,” “bruh,” “son,” and boss which are also wildly popular now?

Because it serves to emphasize how much they don't fit in with other men and are regarded as some sort of third sex.

But you knew that.

R56 Tell us more about the behavior of these exotic creatures

That's just white boys trying to sound black R64

My nephews all went through a boyish phase where they'd start calling me "dude" and I'd tell them "That's Uncle Dude, if you know what's good for you".

I use those terms all the time and so do my friends. What's the issue?

R63 I agree, I don't get why it's an issue. I never use mate, though, but I'm American. Dog.

I'll answer to dude, buddy, bud, man, amigo, and occasionally bitch. In theory I'm fine with mate, dawg, etc., but don't have friends that actually use those terms. There are only two guys that can get away with calling me "bro" (one of them a lifelong best friend that I more or less think of as a brother), and one that can call me "fuckin' donkey."

I’m a bit too old to be called any of these, I think. Possibly “mate” would work but I have no British friends.

Reading through and remembering that many DLers are over 70 and so "dude" would likely be odd for them.

The COO at one of our clients is around 70 and uses "hey, man!" as a greeting. It is a bit cringey.

Okay, more than a bit.

[quote]Man, Dude, Bro, Mate, Buddy, etc.

Is this the gay equivalent of "person, woman, man, camera, TV"?

I love all of those. They're terms of affection and men aren't encouraged to show affection.

R72 weird post just to spread your ageism

"Bros"

[quote] Why do effeminates hate “bro” so much? Do effeminates also hate “brah,” (YES) “bruh,” (YES) “son,” (NEVER HEARD IT) and boss (I'VE USED IT A LOT MYSELF)

But I'm not effeminate.

[quote] Gurl - anytime ok if used by fellow sisters

Absolutely disgusting. If you want to be a woman, transition.

What about "chief"?

I prefer to be addressed as "dollface" or "angel face" like I'm the heroine in a 1930s film

Anyone who complains about being called "Man, Dude, Bro, Mate, Buddy" is looking for a target of his needless outrage and ought to get a life. The guy calling you that is attempting to bond with you. It's not insulting and certainly not homophobic.

Find a real cause to get your knickers into a twist, Man, Dude, Bro, Mate, or Buddy!

[quote] The guy calling you that is attempting to bond with you.

*Snort* Well, either that or maybe the person forgot your name.

I had a college acquaintance who called everyone "Dawg". It was a gigantic college (51k students) and he was a busy bee, participating in many collegiate orgs. I'm pretty sure he was just bad with names and decided to make life easier for himself, lol.

He addressed the international Chinese students with a very cheerful "Hey, friend!". Again, I'm pretty sure he either didn't remember their names or couldn't tell the Asians apart.

One who says “Dude" = pothead and tinfoil conspiracy nut (“5G will kill us all!”)

One who says "Bro" = got ass-spanked by his varsity lacrosse team … and liked it

One who says “Mate" or “Bruv” (and especially “Guv”) = proletariat grunt who grew up under the thumb of British Monarchists

One who says "Buddy" = older North American pleb, probably born before the Iran-Contra Affair and the invention of Post-It notes

One who says “Chap” = sets your annual tax burden and has a bidet in his house

One who says "Man" = assumes Homo Sapiens' "gender", doesn't buy into the hogwash idea of "preferred pronouns" and will be subjected to mandatory re-education by the Twitterstapo

Here in the UK straight guys call other guys “mate” all the time.

[quote] straight guys call other guys “mate” all the time

Because "mate" broadly applies to almost all co-habitational and co-working situations: playmate, classmate, schoolmate, teammate, bandmate, roommate, flatmate, workmate, helpmate, crewmate, shipmate, seatmate, racemate, bunkmate, cellmate.

R83 = one whose response number correlates to his age

It’s really fascinating how people judge you based on language. I think a lot of guys and women use these hyperpopular terms to connote they are part of the tribe, one of the cool kids. It’s very noticeable if someone doesn’t use the predominant slang or language of the day, and it often connotes being an outsider or being unpopular. That being said, these words permeate our culture so much that is almost inevitable that most will use these terms without thinking.

"Bro" makes me sick to my stomach. Incest.

Incest? 🤔

Don't bro me if you don't know me.

It’s part of tribal American identity. Language sharpens our identity and bond to others

I use "bro" all the time, but sarcastically. "Hey bruh... another drink?" "Hey bruh, don't neglect the balls, bruh"

I only hear "Dude" when I inadvertently use a machine at the gym that someone stepped away from for a few minutes OR when someone walks away from a waiting line. "Dude, I'm using that". "Dude, I was here first".

My straight guy friends and church pals use "Buddy" or "Man" or "Brother" when getting together or leaving. These are typically accompanied by a hug. Sometimes they use "See you later Buddy" or "Peace Brother" in their e-mails.

My older brother and my older cousin and a friend of my parents call me "Babe" and "Baby Boy".

I only get called "mate" by an Irish colleague and an Australian colleague.

[quote]R2 When straight guys call me "Babe," as they do on occasion, I always blush.

“Doll” has this effect, too.

R1 hey, gurrrrlll, hay!

Don’t like any of them. “Man” fine.

*is fine

Try-hard language.

What about “my guy”? You see that shit? I hate that shit.

Weren't some shrieking femmy white gays who appropriate black women's slang going around using terms like "boo" a few years ago?

R100, if you’re going to go woke, you need to go woke the right way: Black is now capitalized.

[quote]appropriate Black women's slang

Fixed.

The people who bitch about "woke" shit should go back to parler

"my dude" Jesus!

[quote]Is use of chap kind of British?

[quote]Isn't the use of chap typically a middle or upper middle-class affectation in the UK?

Haven't heard 'chap' used plausibly for decades, and even then it sounded quaint. 'Fellow' has gone the same way, though it has currency as a University category.

Talking of others, 'bloke', 'guy', and 'lad' might routinely be used. 'Mate' still has cross-generational use, only occasionally with menacing overtones. If ever I use 'dude' it's with affection and almost audible quote marks.

I fool around with an older southern guy (US) and he calls me "fella" sometimes, not during sex, just as a greeting or when he texts me. I think it's nice and don't mind it.

Cecil B DeMille called Gloria Swanson young fella. How bizarre was that?!

Homies

Dude and Man is OK. Dude being used since the 80's and man, at least from the mid 60s. Bro is douchebaggery.

I will only answer to "Your Serene Highness."

A definite no for "homie".

Annoyed. Very, very annoyed.

Love it

I never use those terms and forgive those who do.

I prefer being called "lady" or "Miss".

You can flirt with hot dudes as long as you say the word “bro”

I don't like when a waitress comes up to three women in a restaurant and says- Hi GUYS who are we doing this evening?

Uh, what’s wrong with that?

R117- Because women are NOT guys. It's sounds RETARDED.

Actually, in modern usage, “guys” is gender neutral

Why don’t some gay guys know how to give bros dap?

Hate all of them. Bro during sex especially makes me sick to my stomach.

R2 what straight guys are calling you “babe”?? I’ve been called “bruh” “bro” “dude” “buddy” “mate”.....never “babe”.

Ummm r121. Interesting

Say you have brothers in your family.

Then say you're hooking up with a guy, and suddenly he says "bro" in that "fuck, bro" kind of "sexy" way - how does that not prompt you to recall the existence of your actual brothers? And during sex? Nauseating.

There is nothing worse than when a straight guy you like keeps calling you “man.” You realize you have zero chance.😭

I don't like any of them, but they are still better than "f@g" or "f@ggot".

R124, bro is so ubiquitously used to mean something other than a brother in our culture that you shouldn’t even associate it with literal brother.

R124 There are people on this site with very strange views of things.

Why are so many people around here so reactive?

[quote] "Bro" makes me sick to my stomach. Incest.

This poster is truly warped.

Bro!

It's an odd thing to hear, but I'm not bothered by it usually. Among friends and proper acquaintances it's not something I hear except rarely, when used to some (purposeful) effect.

When it's a stranger asking a question I mind less. What are they supposed to call me? Even if it were annoying, they usually are not using the term to be annoying, just for want of a better way to approach a stranger.

If someone uses the term 20 times in two minutes, we likely won't be having a five-minute conversation. I'll extract myself from that at the first opportunity because that's not presumed familiarity or a narrow vocabulary but just someone who is painful simple.

I’ve used dude and buddy recently. Been called bro and mate.

They’re all fine by me.

Babe

Why can’t guys who are interested in each other call each other “man?”

GenZ problems

Not just GenZ

I prefer "Your Royal Highness."

Do bottoms like to be called “sugar bunz”?

Tio / Hombre / Señor / Chaval / Chico

I'm not offended in Spanish or English.

One guy, when we were alone, used to call me 'baby boy' - he was Italian, a few years old and drop dead gorgeous.

I think that's the one I'll remember the most fondly.

Another guy I was really crushing on called me 'Buddy', but he turned out to be a complete psycho so, whenever I hear that word again I kind of cringe and flinch.

Maybe someday I'll believe it again.

Use them all…get over yourself and your itty bitty feelings…..

I don't mind those words. I never got used to "pally", it sounds like I'm being spoken to by Frank Sinatra.

“baby boy” is also very popular among Black Americans. It is usually a term of deep platonic endearment, a very sweet term. Sometimes a stranger will use it to indicate they really like you or to soften the blow of difficult news or conversation

I use Bro a lot..primarily because it was a common greeting during the 60’s hippie era and that’s what I’m use to…. but I’m not going to change because someone is sniffling over it and doesn’t like it….just get over it … Bro

I use bruh a lot, as to a lot of black guys

In my upbringing and life experience the only acceptable one would be "dude". Possibly "man" as a second choice.

Love it

"Mate" is de rigueur in Australia, so I'm used to it. You can actually use it in both a positive and a negative way even (like, if you sound frustrated with someone and refer to them as "mate", you're kinda implying you are being sarcastic and don't think of them as a friend). The Australian comedy Frontline did a whole funny thing about Australians calling each other "mate" when we can't remember someone's name.

It probably says something bad about my self respect perhaps, but in general, when guys get blokey with me, I kinda love it. Makes me feel like one of the lads. Can't help it, just makes me feel good about myself.

Yo, mac!

I love it how black dudes call guys “G,” as in “gangsta.” Black people make everything cool.

Chill bruh