workplace overeaction?
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4485497.stm

Anyone think that this is just a little bit of an overeaction?

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

You could be right .... mate ;)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

That degrades me!! I demand you stop calling me that!!! :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

But darling! Why so angry? You're normally a complete sweetheart!

:D

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Now Darling, there's no need for such a complete overreaction, now is there Love. I mean mate, I could take offence to your reaction, couldn't I Pet.

Listen Chuck, we should just sit down and sort this out, don't you agree Duck, I mean, i know you're a complete sweetheart really.

I'm sure that your persona as the welsh Babe magnet will be harmed by this obvious outpouring of anger. You'll no longer be seen as a honey, or potential lover.

:D :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Oh sod off :D :D

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Well, you've obviously never been to a petting zoo, have you love?

:disturbd:

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I concede defeat SO easily :D

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I actually find random strangers using the term "mate" to be highly annoying. I don`t know them, probability is that I wouldn`t want to be friends with them, so why do they feel the need to use the word "mate"?

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

It's a friendly term - I certainly would not feel comfortable having a new colleague calling me "Sir" or "Mr David".

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

<Red Dwarf flashbacks>

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Whinging ole welsh

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I can fully understand how some people may it find patronising.

For example if a woman or man has worked their way up to a high management level. I am definitely postive they would not take kindly to being called "love" or "son".

It shows a lack of respect and unprofessionalism.

If someone I didn't know on a personal level (and this has happened) during work called me "mate"

They would get what I dished out the last time and that would be.

"excuse me, but I'm not your mate and it's Mr ******"

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I understand your point about someone at management level but why would you be like that with a peer? Do you not think it's meant to be a sign of friendliness? If someone came back at me with "I'm not your mate" then the instant reply from me would be along the lines of "No, looks like you probably never will be, either".

IMO there's nothing wrong in trying to make the workplace a little less formal where appropriate.

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Round these parts 'mate' is very much a normal thing, so nothing I'd get too worked up about.

These are very much regional - what doesn't work in one place is normal in another.

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

It's all very well you you to say that Boyo.... :)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I am pleasantly suprised that more people aren't offended, I thought they would be.

I wouldn't care call any female love, honey, sweetheart (unless she called me it first) because people have been punished because of the sexual harassment side of it, but my manager is an ex-fireman, so he has the sense of humour you can have a laugh with. I'll call him pilchard, numb nuts, anything. I do love hearing the petnames though, it shows someone at least likes you.

I call everyone mate though, even if I don't particularly like them. That's the cockney in me (Anyone who says I am from Essex is getting red-repped ;)). I enjoy being called it though... i'd rather be called mate than sir in a shop.

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

All depends on the situation, don't get me wrong I'm not a miserable B@st@rd (at least I don't think I am).

That particular scenario was with a right slimy **** with whom I wanted lay some boundaries from the off.

"Mate" is generic with blokes and I'm usually fine with that. However, I wouldn't allow an older peer of mine to call me "son" and If I was a woman I wouldn't allow anyone to call me "love"

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Blooming eck pet, it's hard enough to get called by your correct name sometimes..

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Not surprised. I deal with a lot of Welsh customers at work and most are miserable and difficult.

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Perhaps it's just you?

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

They like to be the only one in the VILLAAAAAGE you know

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Well I'm there sweating blood trying to fix their problem, and they're talking IN WELSH to someone in the room. Totally ignoring me :mad: Should be more polite, otherwise they might suddenly have more computer problems ;) That said, they are usually doctor's receptionists and practice managers - not so much Dungeons and Dragons but Bimbos and Dragons :p:

I'm sure there are some lovely Welsh people - like you Russ :erm: :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

The cheek of it all!!! Speaking their own native language!! In their own country!!! How dare they!!

If you feel so passionately about it, learn Welsh yourself.....then you can join in :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

The word Welsh is actually an Old English word meaning †œforeigner; slaveââ‚ƚ¬Ã‚ÂÂÂ�

So just tell the slaves in the doctors surgeries to do as you tell them and to shut up ;)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

not old English

from http://users.comlab.ox.ac.uk/geraint.jones/about.welsh

some interesting stuff there - I didn't know there is a Welsh speaking community in Patagonia, for example :)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

:LOL: battle of the quotes - I don't know, maybe both are wrong, duck :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Welsh definately doesnt mean duck in any form of English or Wenglish ;)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

just trying to stay on topic, chuck ;) :angel:

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Speaking to various people around the country I've found the pet names vary eg Cockneys use "darling" and North West use "love".

One thing I've found unique is the Stoke people, they use mainly "duck" but occasionally "shug". I didn't quite hear the lady properly the first time she called it me and thought she was calling me a "slug" which I was quite surprised at as I didn't think she knew me that well :erm:

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I applied to learn but apparently I don't salivate enough :p:

Funny you should mention it - I had a woman the other day calling me "meduck" with the "e" pronouced as the "i" in "kit" and a very soft "k" at the end of "duck". I thought it was lovely. Never heard it before.

The Geordies tend to use "hen" and "hinny" - both of which I find lovely, but then again, the maternal side of the family are Geordies. Might be in the genes :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I heard about someone in court down in somerset who refered to the judge as "my lover" but as it's a common term down there, the judge didn't bat an eyelid :)

I'm amazed by some of the team leaders at my work, you know how most people have their "telephone voice" which is normally well spoken and clear, not these, we're on the line to IT directors of other companies and they're saying "y'know" and "sortof like" and even "mate"

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

Yep, I'd go along with that. I tend to call people 'chuck' (it's a scouse thing).

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I'm Miss or Mrs to anyone under the age of 16. ;)

Otherwise as long as they use my full christian name or the diminutive I choose to go by I tend to ignore anyone who calls me by a pet name..until they use the right name. :)

As for complete strangers calling me pet or anything else I tend to freeze them.It's not necessary to be familiar with everyone.Stick to your own family and particular friends for such terms of endearment. :erm:

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

as an ex 'southerner', who has now lived longer north of Watford, than south of it, the use of words like 'love' & 'chuck' & 'duck' to strangers, appears more prevalent 'up north'.

What you said about it being overfamiliar, Incog (not 'Coggy', notice ;) ), and your reaction to it, might perpetuate the myth that southerners are 'stuck up' & northerners 'more friendly'. Of course neither is true, but the difference in the cultures makes it appear so, sometimes...

- 'when in Rome' would seem to be apt ;)

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

i hate it when people call me mate when i dont even know them. Some bloke got the rough end once when he called me mate and i bellowed at him about not being a condom so dont call me mate!!

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People can call me anything they want as long as it's not nasty...

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Same here - some guy once called me 'pal'.

I told him not to call me a dog food.

He replied "Sorry Chum" :disturbd:

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bet you nearly had a pup

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I remember reading a horror story about a landlady that used to stuff the tenants. Do you do a similar thing Mrs Incognitas, only you keep them on ice in the cellar? Would have thought the electricity costs of all the freezers would be prohibitive :erm:

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I'm Welsh and I'm um cheerful, sorta :erm:

I dont' mind what I get called as long as its not offensive. I have fantastic conversations with SWALEC ;) Where I am commonly referred to as love. It really doesn't bother me.

I think it's an over reaction.

Sian

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I get called cutie by one of the SHO'S,now that does bug the life out of me!!!

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

In Leeds (and other parts of Yorkshire) it is quite common, especially amongst the older generation, to use the word "love" between two males! That's just part of their microculture that has gone on through the generations and I never found it the least bit annoying. Surprising at first, especially when a big burly factory worker calls another bloke "love", but certainly not offensive when it was later explained to me ;).

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

point him out next time and i will rip his throat out :mad: , anyway , how about doing what hospitals do and ask ppl how they wish to be known as , i.e. mr young / paul etc , i must admit i usually use ' my mate ' a lot and it nevers semms to offend ppl , and if it did then it wouldnt really bother as most likely i would carry on doing it :disturbd: :D :D :D

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

I suppose its a toss up between risking offending someone or talking to each other like frikin' robots. ;).

Re: workplace overeaction?
 

:eeek: I have done that many a time, I was admitting this woman and I said do you want me to go and get your dad now, she turned round and said it is my husband actually, I did not know where to put my self, but everyone else had a good laugh on my expense!!!!