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[block tower]

i'm asking because im used to hearing only children or animals referred to as "buddy". i get that some people call their friends buddy, but i think that only sounds affectionate because their close friends. i had some instances on campus last week were a couple people my own age casually referred to me as buddy in a friendly/apologetic way but them using "buddy" stll threw me off. i was raised to address your equals by their name, or if i didnt know their name just address them without using a casual or formal term. im bringing this question up because to me i had to think for a moment if the individuals addressing me were trying to be condescending purposely. im positive they weren't being condescending, but i still think the term buddy shouldn't be used between adults who don't know each other.

any thoughts? differing opinions?

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Buddy is condescending depending on the context. I call most people pal and it's not meant shitty, but I can make it shitty. You should be able to tell the difference. I definitely wouldn't use buddy to people I don't know.

 

[atomsk]

I'm not your buddy, guy

 

[bjork]

It's in the tone, but it's up there with bro, pal, and homie to me.

Unless your name is buddy, like the dude on Charles in Charge. Or if you are Pauly Shore.

 

[NinjaFridge]

I'm not your guy, friend.

 

[genjiZERO]

 

[okno]

I fucking hate being called "bud" or "buddy" by strangers.

Do I find it condescending? No, I just think it sounds lazy. When I was younger, I absolutely found it condescending as it mostly came from men who were 10+ years my senior and it made me feel young and invalidated.

 

[Edwardo]

I always remember growing up people said that it's disrespectful, but me and my friends call each other buddy all the time.

Even if i'm out somewhere and some guy say "hey buddy" to me, as in to get my attention, i'm not going to be offended by it.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

It's in the tone, but it's up there with bro, pal, and homie to me.

Unless your name is buddy, like the dude on Charles in Charge. Or if you are Pauly Shore.

I knew a dude named Buddy, guy must have been miserable. Like that spot in Memento when he says he was conditioned to pretend to recognize people he didn't know, because he didn't know if he had talked to them before.

 

[Gully State]

I'm not your friend, buddy

 

[coldvein]

if the person is actually your buddy, no.

if the person is a stranger, usually.

 

[strafer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7owxBNZLh-Y

 

[Blood Red Sky]

In the UK it would sound like a really weird affectation.

 

[J-Rod]

Indian guys call me buddy all the time. Should I be insulted?

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Like anything else it's how you say it and when you say it.

 

[Slayven]

Tone and context

 

[bjork]

I knew a dude named Buddy, guy must have been miserable. Like that spot in Memento when he says he was conditioned to pretend to recognize people he didn't know, because he didn't know if he had talked to them before.

For the record, if we ever meet in real life and don't call each other brother, something is amiss. Anyone from wrasslegaf, actually.

 

[lem0n]

Buddy is condescending depending on the context. I call most people pal and it's not meant shitty, but I can make it shitty. You should be able to tell the difference. I definitely wouldn't use buddy to people I don't know.

Exactly.

 

[Parch]

People really do get offended about everything nowadays don't they?

 

[Kerned]

It rubs me the wrong way. I think it almost always sounds condescending.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

For the record, if we ever meet in real life and don't call each other brother, something is amiss. Anyone from wrasslegaf, actually.

It's the only natural way

 

[Goliath]

It's all in tone and leagues better then being called "BOY".

 

[phaonaut]

Only if "Listen" comes before it. Other than that its ok.

 

[rudieboy77]

No calling someone boy is though. I don't know if saying "hey girl" falls into same category ?

 

[The Albatross]

Foreign guy at work calls me buddy, but he uses it as a term of endearment. But, if you're talking to someone who you just met and you say something like, "Listen, buddy.." it's condescending.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

"Pal" is the ultimate ungendered pronoun. It can mean so many things. Ultimate dismissal is "Yeah sure thing pal"

 

[CyclopsRock]

To me it seems like the sort of thing an awkward public figure would call a kid in a wheelchair if they had to make small talk for 20 seconds in front of a camera.

 

[Omegasquash]

Depends on tone. I have way more of a mistrust for "my friend" than anything else, because whenever someone says it to me, they always mean just the opposite.

 

[Uncledick]

People really do get offended about everything nowadays don't they?

My thoughts as well, fuckin' hell. If anything offends me, it's shit like this thread.

 

[kehs]

"Sure thing, buddy." = Fistacuffs

"Buddy, can you help me with directions." = Not Fistacuffs


"Buddy boy" = It's ok to stab

 

[ChubbyHuggs]

No, but someone calling you kid is, especially when they're younger.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

No calling someone boy is though. I don't know if saying "hey girl" falls into same category ?

No. "Boy" is on the same level as the N word in the states. Girl is not and means nothing.

 

[BananaSprinkles]

No, calling somebody "buddy" is not considered condescending.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Don't call ANYONE boy, ever. Unless it's legitimately a child and you don't know the little shit's name. Even then you can pick something better than BOY.

 

[Futureman]

No, calling somebody "buddy" is not considered condescending.

It absolutely can be.

really depends on the person saying it and context.

 

[bengraven]

I can't hear the word "buddy" without picturing South Park Canadians.

 

[Willectro]

Buddy certainly could be. I find a lot of bros throw "boss" around and I often wonder if it has a disingenuous context.

 

[Vooduu]

Depends on the context and the way you say it.

 

[Aesius]

Yes.

Use the following terms of endearment instead:

-Big guy
-Boss
-Winner
-Stud
-Hotshot

 

[LurkerPrime]

You tell me, buddy.

 

[Dark Octave]

Indian guys call me buddy all the time. Should I be insulted?

That's the accent. They're either calling you "body" or "booty".

Either way, watch out.

 

[terrdactycalsrock]

You know, oddly, this is something I struggle with a lot. The majority of the people that live in my area likes to use the word buddy. They say it as a term to mean friend, but I personally have always thought it sounded condescending

 

[Astral]

Yes.

Use the following terms of endearment instead:

-Big guy
-Boss
-Winner
-Stud
-Hotshot

I hate being called boss.

 

[Pepiope]

I hate being called boss.

To me it sounds so sarcastic.

 

[Miletius]

I admit, as a short guy, I dislike it when people call me buddy. But, I think I'm probably being overly sensitive about it. I always associate buddy with a junior figure, so in that context I get annoyed.

 

[Newline]

In the UK it would sound like a really weird affectation.

Completely agree with this sentiment. I couldn't help but feel awkward the one time a friend of mine called me buddy, funnily enough it never happened again.

 

[Days like these...]

I hate begging called sir. I always call guys guy instead of buddy,bro,dude,man.

 

[RurouniZel]

I just use dude instead.

But yeah, it depends on the context.

 

[Pathos]

Fuck no bud

 

[thecouncil]

Calling someone by their actual name can be condescending if you do it right.