If a girl calls a guy 'buddy', does that mean he's friend zoned?

[Anonymous]

Ok, this is gonna be a simple question. Suppose a guy and a girl and just acquaintances (the guy is just helping her in preparing for job interviews because they both have the same qualification, and the guy has 3+ years of experience, while the girl is a fresher). They know nothing about each others' personal lives. In such a cases, if the girl keeps addressing this guy as 'buddy', does that mean she has already friend zoned him?

P.S. Please remember, as of now the guy doesn't really have any feelings for her. But since the girl always addresses him as 'buddy', is he giving him a clear sign that he shouldn't fall for her at any point in the future?

Updates

+1 y

One thing to note, English isn't her native language, and her grammar and vocabulary are quite poor. And sometimes she can't really string together proper words for a sentence. The only reason she and the guy are communicating in English is because that's the only language common to them. So, does this fact mean anything with respect to my question?

Updates

+1 y

Ok here's another update, which the guy told me now. It seems almost always she calls him 'buddy', but there has been a couple of times when she has called him 'dear'. Does it mean anything?

[Nachomomma]

I hate the term 'friend zone' as it implies that you can't date a friend when that's not accurate at all. Many longer term relationships start with the couple simply being friends. It's just silly when guys get disappointed when a girl calls them a friend. You should be more concerned if she says something closer to 'you're like a brother'. Friends are still very likely to date, but people who see each other as family are not.

Anyways, the word 'Buddy' is usually just slang. Like saying 'Man/boy/like/guys'. It's usually just a filler word that means little about how the person feels about you. The fact that she doesn't seem to understand much English doesn't change this. She may have picked it up somewhere, or may not know a better way to address someone. Furthermore, there are some languages that tend to address different people depending on the person's relation to them. She may have been taught that 'Buddy' is the proper greeting to a friendly peer.

It does indicate that she likely sees you in a friendly manner, but it says nothing about potential romantic interests. It doesn't even indicate if she sees you as an actual friend or just a friendly acquaintance.

[Asker]

I perfectly understand the difference. Being 'friends' with someone means they're friends as of now, and doesn't rule out a possible romance. But putting someone in the 'friend zone' is something permanent, where one person rules out the other as a possible romantic interest, now and forever.

[TedStar]

I personally would see it as asign of disinterest. A subtle, but effective way of letting me know that she thinks I'm cool, but is not romantically interested and doesn't want any friendly behavior to be seen her being flirty. I actually have a friend who is very friendly bubbly and flirty. It I'd just part of her personality and she has been told about it. She calls guys buddies or bros really early on or says anything that makes it known that she isn't interested

[Asker]

Please look at my update. Does it make any difference?

[TedStar]

Nope. Also if she likes you there would be more than one sign, but rather a group of signs

[Asker]

You don't get the point. Its very very early for either of them to show 'interest', because they know nothing about each other. But still, since she is using 'buddy', does that mean that she is ruling out this guy as dating material? Just for extra information, its not related to my life. This guy is someone who is very close to me.

[TedStar]

Okay I see. In my experience my original answer stays more often than not. . Many people will rule out people from the moment they first meet them. It happens. We can't be romantically attracted to everyone. When a girl and guy start interacting most people would assume that something romantic is the goal. I would assume that this girl is letting your boy know that they are just platonic. I don't know of any culture where "buddy" means anything other than platonic friend

[TedStar]

I don't think it completely rules out something happening in the distant future, but as of right now regardless of the culture difference I would take it as a sign of "not right now". Also the friend zone is not always permanent

[Asker]

Ok fine, here's an update, which he told me now. It seems almost always she calls him 'buddy', but there has been a couple of times when she has called him 'dear'. Does it mean anything?

[TedStar]

In the context of them being acquaintances I'd put the "dear" in the same box as the "buddy". All these terms of endearment are good but my spidey senses think platonic good >romantic good

[Asker]

Thanks for your input. I'll let him know that it would be unwise for him to develop interest in her now or later on. He was was member of this site, but his profile got banned due to some reason, and he's trying to recover it.

[Anonymous]

For me, when I use the word buddy yes I'm friend zoning the person. But I also might call my boyfriend buddy AFTER we start dating.

I think people fall in 3 categories from the minute I meet them: it's either I see them as friends, either as potential boyfriends, either undefined which can go both ways. But when I see someone as a friend from the beginning there's no way I'm dating them ever.

[Asker]

What makes you decide to friend zone someone immediately after getting acquainted with him? Is it due to his looks, his money, his job or something similar?

[Opinion Owner]

no it's not about money,job or looks. It's because either the person is not my type (looks , personality, values...) or due to the way we were introduced, we just click as friends and we act normal around each other, no tension or attraction.

[Asker]

Ok, I got it. Suppose you friend zone someone, and later some aspects about him change (which would make him your type), would you take him out of the friend zone, or still leave him languishing in it? :P

[Opinion Owner]

I've never been through a similar situation, but if things change from both sides I'm sure I would give it a try..

[Asker]

That's nice to know! :)

[TheoryOfAvarice]

It depends on the girl.

I actually know a girl who calls almost anyone buddy or bud. So obviously from her it doesn't mean anything really.

You'll have to look for more signs from this girl if you want to figure out if she's interested or not.

[Asker]

Take a look at my update. Does it change the scenario in any way?

[TheoryOfAvarice]

Mm not really. If anything it just makes me think that that's an English word she's familiar with and comfortable using. It doesn't sound like something she is using to actively put him in the "friend zone."

[Anonymous]

She's not interested. If she were, you'd know.

[Asker]

At this point, the guy isn't interested either. What I want to know is, has she friend zoned him permanently? Also, please read my update. By the way, this 'guy' in my question is not me. Its someone else who is very close to me.

[Opinion Owner]

If he's not interested, who cares? I read the update before answering :-)