Nothing condescending about “buddy” when used in a greeting, although apparently in the UK “buddy” means homosexual (and “fag” means cigarette…they’re all mixed up!).
“Bud” is slightly more presumptive. I’d only say this to someone I know well.
“Champ” and “Chief” bug me, as does “guy” (to a lesser extent).
I know a guy who uses the word “partner” when addressing a stranger, salesperson, or waiter.
Whenever I hear him say it, I always think, “WTF?.. did I somehow suddenly end up in the Old West?”
[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
Nothing condescending about “buddy” when used in a greeting, although apparently in the UK “buddy” means homosexual (and “fag” means cigarette…they’re all mixed up!).
[/quote]
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
I know a guy who uses the word “partner” when addressing a stranger, salesperson, or waiter.
Whenever I hear him say it, I always think, “WTF?.. did I somehow suddenly end up in the Old West?”[/quote]
Guy I went to school with said that too, but he had the southern accent to make it work.
If I call you buddy it’s a term of endearment, whether because you’re my friend, or a stranger who just seems nice enough.
[quote]overstand wrote:
When you call somebody you barely know “buddy”, as in “What’s up buddy?”, do you mean it as a subtle disrespect? Chief, big guy, champ etc. I would consider straight up condescending, but buddy I’m not so sure. Does it depend on the situation?[/quote]
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
I know a guy who uses the word “partner” when addressing a stranger, salesperson, or waiter.
Whenever I hear him say it, I always think, “WTF?.. did I somehow suddenly end up in the Old West?”[/quote]
Does he say “partner” or “pahtner”? If he called me “pahtner” I’d punch him in the face. Not because I consider it condescending but just because I don’t like the way it sounds.