Hacker News Reader

As an Australian, we seemed to develop a culture of calling everyone 'mate' regardless of gender etc. Helps since I can't ever remember a persons name, even after they've said it directly to my face.

I've got no issue with people wanting to use different pronouns, though usually I try to keep it neutral in conversation anyway. "They/their" is extremely easy to use without much thought.

View on HN

Actually, also as an Australian:

Australia is a country where you call your mates "cunt" and call cunts "mate".

Actually, also as an Australian:

I'm pretty sure this is one of those things that's true in the Northern half* of the country that people think applies everywhere, like crocodiles and jellyfish that kill you. I've lived in SA and Vic all my life and all my friends would just be insulted if I called them cunt instead of mate.

* "Northern Half" of course meaning above the Barassi Line and probably adding the NT, not the real geographic north.

Depends on the circles of friends really. But yeah that one definitely isn't a country-wide rule if you plan to keep all your teeth

Truly and thoroughly upside-down.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com