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I never hear "buddy" anymore. I only observe men calling each other "dude." "Hey, dude," "Thanks, dude," "Love you, dude," "Are you crazy, dude?" Etc., etc. They sound like aging surfers.
I think in the South using "buddy" is a friendly term, but in the North it is a territorial and defensive thing to say to another person.
I have one uncle that lived in Kentucky during what I think was an impressionable time for speech development, and he calls people buddy a lot, but in a very soft and friendly way. Think Blake Shelton-ish like someone said above.
I'm not a guy...but I always think it's kind of condescending when it's said man-to-man. (Or if said during an argument, it's kind of threatening/putting the person down/making the person feel small.) In general I tend to think of "buddy" as something a much older person says to a very small child to make the child feel good - like the two of them are (could possibly be) "real buddies." Therefore, man-to-man, it's more condescending. JMO.
I may be reading too much into this but it seems like when a random guy calls me "buddy" they're doing it in a condescending way as if speaking to me like I'm a kid. I only say "buddy" to kids or friends kids like "hey buddy"etc. For instance I work in customer service and I notice that if I'm dealing with a type a guy (usually the" bro" type) and I'm sort of speaking "stronger/louder" than he is they get slightly defensive and dismissive with me speaking in very short answers etc and almost always referring to me as buddy when I refer to them as sir. Almost trying to tell me they're the "alpha" and or something. Guys do you do this or am I crazy? I know I don't do it simply because I'm not a d bag.
Your last sentence tells me all I need to know. Without waiting to hear any responses to your question, you make it clear that to you, anyone who calls you buddy is a d bag. Why bother asking the question?
Truly good friends don't call each other "buddy". At least I've never heard them call each other that. It can be used in kind of condescending way, not necessarily talking to you like you're a kid, but trust me you're not really their "buddy" when they say that. I heard the guys who stopped the French train attack earlier this year referred to the guy they were holding down as "buddy" at one point. Saying something like "don't move buddy". I don't think it's always derogatory but in your case I sense a slight negative attitude towards you by the customers.
Much of it will depend on the person saying it.
For example buddy can be an affectionate term for someone, just like some Aussies say "mate". Even if a Canadian says "come on boys", it does not mean he is speaking down to them, it is just a common phrase that they use.
Blake Shelton calls just about every guy on The Voice "buddy" and it seems to be a friendly exchange.
On the other hand, I have heard guys use "buddy" in an insulting tone.
To me, it's more about the tone and attitude than the word.
Yep your right. I have heard Blake use that several times. I know lots of people in this area who do use it that way so it might just be a southern thing. Blake grew up about 30 mins away from here.
I may be reading too much into this but it seems like when a random guy calls me "buddy" they're doing it in a condescending way as if speaking to me like I'm a kid. I only say "buddy" to kids or friends kids like "hey buddy"etc. For instance I work in customer service and I notice that if I'm dealing with a type a guy (usually the" bro" type) and I'm sort of speaking "stronger/louder" than he is they get slightly defensive and dismissive with me speaking in very short answers etc and almost always referring to me as buddy when I refer to them as sir. Almost trying to tell me they're the "alpha" and or something. Guys do you do this or am I crazy? I know I don't do it simply because I'm not a d bag.
I agree. Among middle aged men, it's condescending. They don't want to give you the respect that comes with using your given name. Like remembering it. And using it as intended.
He's pulling rank.
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