If a guy calls you ‘mate,’ does he only see you as a friend, and not romantically?

[KezHarris]

He only sees you as a friend

No, he could still like you

Other

Updates

1 y

Weird thing is he doesn’t call other girls mate… he calls them by their first names etc.

[osmanthus]

Calling a man or woman mate is usually a culturally acceptable term to use in any given social situation that is informal, especially in Europe, specifically, more so in the United Kingdom. This doesn't always mean that the person is romantically interested and usually signals that the person is more so using it as a platonic tagline. Always ask to clarify whether or not the person might be interested in becoming more intimate with you but generally in such case the use of the word 'mate' is less committal and more so communally used and not really personal in nature towards interest in someone romantically.

[osmanthus]

In the most archaic use of the word, in certain contexts, it can signal to others some more so primitive and sometimes animalistic level of commitment. Most people tend to use the word mate outside the UK somewhat analogous to where animals are in fact meeting in the wild so it goes without saying that it's easy to confuse the word mate to be more romantic in nature and hence more physically involved than it actually is between socially evolved primates such as us humans.

[osmanthus]

I'd say in the UK using the word mate usually means that the person is comfortable enough with you as a friend platonically to at least use the word regularly whenever they see you. It's a friendly word to use much like how some people in the south of the United States tend to use the word honey even towards strangers that they've just met seconds ago it's a social politeness or nicety or proclivity unique to the region in which these words are being used much like how colloquial phrases are used and tend to identify from where a person hails from or has been.

[osmanthus]

You might also hear Aussies (natives or citizens of Australia) and New Zealanders, Irish, Welsh, and the occasional Brazilian use the word 'mate' this way, as well. It's fairly rare to hear further up north, easterly, and even southern Europeans use the word but expats and backpackers roam around still and many from the UK travel extensively via air, train, etc. than most other people who commonly bike, drive, or else walk as their main mode of transportation.

[osmanthus]

Many vacationers to Hawaii tend to also use the word 'mate' as Hawaii is oftentimes a popular destination for vacationers, some, who have settled there.

[osmanthus]

And for very obvious reasons, if the person is a male and looks pissed (pissed, in UK slang to mean drunk) and jokingly or loosely calls you mate, he's probably a happy drunk and about to piss (pee) in a back alley somewhere or stumble on his way back to the nearest pub. Relatively harmless but still annoying to some.

[dustybiker2]

There is the slim chance he is doing it in an attempt to hide/cover for his true feelings.

[KezHarris]

Oh! Yeah that makes sense

[TommyMountainFigure]

Yes but SO slim Db, the chance could hide behind a stick. :P

[dustybiker2]

Tommy I'm assuming he's her age. Men do this more around then. Think way back. 🤪

[KezHarris]

There’s actually quite a big age gap, he’s 47

[dustybiker2]

Oh. See details matter. That does pretty much exclude my idea. Unless he's lived a very sheltered life.

[TommyMountainFigure]

I can't think THAT far back Db. When I was Kez's age cars hadn't replaced horse and carts yet!!!

[dustybiker2]

@TommyMountainFigure Were you an estate baby? Locked behind closed gates? 🐎

[TommyMountainFigure]

I wasn't, but if they'd known what I was gonna turn out like, they NIGHT have wanted to!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Night? Arghhhh my keys keep jumping around!

[dustybiker2]

@TommyMountainFigure I knew what you meant lol

[KezHarris]

Quite strange because he shows all the other signs of attraction apart from calling me mate…

[dustybiker2]

@kezharris You could always try the direct approach and ask him.

[Skinhead-1979]

The word 'Mate' is being overly used in the UK and has completely lost its original meaning if you ask me.

If someone says "Mate" to me; I am sure I will get a bollicking... not that that person sees me as a 'friend' or something; and I use the word in the same way.

So, in my opinion it doesn't mean a thing and a 'Romantic Relationship' could still happen.

[strangeatcircleK]

I think it can be confusing

Guys offering friendship and smiles can lead to feelings of romance

The best way is to ask,

You don't have to be blunt

"Hey, how do you feel about us, how do you view our friendship"

Word it in a way that's subtle but gets gently to the point

[TommyMountainFigure]

Here in the UK, it's what we call friends, buddies, anything that is purely platonic.. Nothing romantic is implied!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Lol you're in the UK too Kex?

[TommyMountainFigure]

That should have been Kez.. damn keyboard!

[Purpleronnie]

Being British I would consider that he only presently sees non romantically

[thearchjoker]

Nah mate just means the same as bud. Mate is usually used in the UK and Australia and is generally plutonic. He might be into you but the word mate itself is just him calling you the equivalent of bud.

[fonduegirl]

I'm not British but I call people that.

Surprisingly, I learnt I've never done that to people I like. Damn, this question is sneaky!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Sneaky yes I suppose it is lol, but it's also a respectful way of telling someone they can be friends, but nothing more!

[LaurenM1997]

Yeah that’s exactly what it means if he liked you in the other way he’d be calling you cute names

[TheLovelyIntrovert]

I called my boyfriend "Dude" until I realized he had feelings for me too. I'm not the kind to be pushy or put all my feelings on the table right away.

[WhitneySnow]

No, a lot of guys call you “bro” “dude” “mate” when they really have feelings for you

[JFilton]

It really depends on the person and what they are like.

I don't really use mate but I sometimes use it with close friends as a joke.

[handsomelad70]

Australians call their bros "mate." (About 10 years ago, the Detroit Tigers had an Australian pitcher, Warwick Saupold, who called everyone and was himself called "Mate.")

[Jennz6]

Sounds like he’s from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 or Australia 🇦🇺

[Anonymous]

If you want to know if he likes you, then show him you his tits.

[Julian7312]

Meet usually means friends but it could be something more.

[RedInnocent69]

It’s kind of a trick question. Only British and Australians are qualified to answer.

[Anonymous]

I don't know people dont speak like pirates where im from

[Anonymous]

I suppose it could mean he thinks he's a pirate. I don't think I've ever called anyone mate.

[NathanDavis]

yeah, no mate...

[TommyMountainFigure]

lolol

[DizzyDesii]

If he's not Aussie or NZ…

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

He could still like you.

[dudegreat91]

Could be anything honestly

[MysticDevice]

Sounds Australian