Hi mate

I personally can't stand the phrase "mate". Especially if I am only engaging with the person for the first time/few times. But then I'm not a povo, so maybe that has something to do with it.
 
What if they're not your mate, pal?

Django x2 said:
I personally can't stand the phrase "mate". Especially if I am only engaging with the person for the first time/few times. But then I'm not a povo, so maybe that has something to do with it.
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This is fake news, you used the word "povo" which automatically makes you a master mater.
 
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It's all about what word(s) you put in front of it:

"Alright mate?" = greeting a friend
"Excuse me mate,...." = getting attention from a stranger
"Listen mate,..." = I hold you in contempt and am about to lay down the law
"Your mate" = a third party your friend has just encountered, particularly if they have stalker tendancies
"My mate <name>" = casually letting someone else know you have other friends so they are in awe of your social prowess
"Aw maaate....." = showing empathy
"Checkmate" = I just beat you at chess
 
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Diddums said:
Today I heard that it's actually a term which shows respect.
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If they know you its a mark of "we like you, you're alright/you're a friend" otherwise its used a way of disarming a potentially hostile conflict "sorry mate!" if someone bumps into you, since its usually a sign of respect/friendship. Sometimes its "oi mate!" used somewhat ironically if they aren't friendly. Context is everything.

drakulton said:
It's also a very blunt way of getting intimate with the opposite/same sex if you say it as a question.
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Thats the only way americans understand it and if they hear "mate" on a british TV show it can lead to some interesting misunderstandings.
 
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I adapt to who I’m talking to/the audience.

If I’m speaking to people I know through gym or people that live local, I’ll greet them with “hello mate”

Equally, I’ll do the same with actual mates.


It’s also quite a friendly greeting.



I wouldn’t use it in an interview, nor at a work conference.
 
It’s also a way of addressing a tradesman to show you’re also masculine and not the effeminate, white collar worker that you actually are.

You may also wish to deepen your voice when you address said tradesman.
 
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Stu999 said:
It’s also a way of addressing a tradesman to show you’re also masculine and not the effeminate, white collar worker that you actually are.

You may also wish to deepen your voice when you address said tradesman.
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Guilty as charged.

My son also tells me that I "speak posh" around other parents at school.
 
I'm terrible for saying mate to everybody especially with Clinicians at the hospital.
So imagine some high ranking Consultant knocks on the door and I answer with "Hey up mate" and then take them to the boss, I always regret it but I can't help it.
 
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