What are some friendly things you can say to strangers in the USA without seeming weird?
Posted by TheShyBuck@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 439 comments
Hi.
In my country, usually people (both men and women) address strangers as “brother” when speaking to men, and “sister” when speaking to women, as a sign of respect. They may also call old strangers “mother” and “father” to show respect, most Algerian women feel uncomfortable talking to male strangers, which is why they usually call male strangers “brother.”
Some people especially men also say “baba” (father), even to male strangers who are younger than them, as a term of endearment similar to the Latino affectionate term “papi.”
Sometimes cashiers, vendors address me as baba (father) although they they know I am young and younger than them they don't mean it in the literal sense, it is just a term of endearment.
How about the USA?
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
Calling a man brother, or bro, can work pretty well but you have to be careful to not come across as confrontational in tone. Calling a woman sister is largely very specific to the Black community and I won't speak on that because I am God's palest white boy.
If you called an older man or woman father or mother or any variant thereof and they were not your parents, the best case is they'd think you had mistaken them for someone else. The worst case is probably calling some old guy daddy in public and your week getting REAL WEIRD, REAL FAST.
whatisakafka@reddit
All these rules are different in the black community. Like "pops" is a thing too, for example. Or "unc"
Coctyle@reddit
Unc has caught on amongst us white folk.
jayne-eerie@reddit
Is “Pops” okay even for a stranger? I had the idea it was kind of insulting outside a friendly context. Like how calling your girlfriend Babe is fine, calling a waitress Babe is icky.
VisionAri_VA@reddit
“Pops” is very informal and should only be used to address a man you know well.
Dr_Watson349@reddit
Its insulting.
I aint ya fucking pops.
RandomPaw@reddit
And I ain’t ya fucking sis. Also insulting.
whatisakafka@reddit
If the vibe is cool and you’re already having a friendly interaction it could work, but it can definitely be taken the wrong way. Better off with someone you’re at least acquainted with in passing
Chance-Adept@reddit
Also when black women call me (middle aged white man) “baby” or “sugar” it fills me with great joy.
Literally no other demographic can call me those names and get a positive reaction from me 🤷🏻♂️.
OneSignature7178@reddit
40 year old white woman here. It gives me all the special feelings. Especially when it's an older lady. It feels like my Granny talking to me 🥲
Reasonable_Carpet_95@reddit
So true! It can heal me
InsertNovelAnswer@reddit
I work at a school and can confirm at least the Unc part. I have a couple of middle schoolers who will call me that.
tnrivergirl@reddit
The “sister” thing is common in the south for both the Black community and older white women. I’m very white and in my 60s, and many of my friends call each other sister. I can remember my grandmother and aunts doing the same with their “beauty shop friends” when I was a child in the 1960s. It’s seldom used as a greeting, but more in a conversational or gossipy way, as in, “Sister, let me tell you…” followed by something juicy or exasperated.
Organic-Play-1209@reddit
I get called mama a lot, not by my own children.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
I will take you at your word! I'm a small town West Coast white man in my 30s and even some of my Black peers didn't know what unc meant when it started popping up in daily usage around here.
NateTheCadet@reddit
Well I will say I’m 21 from Cali, but my whole family is from the south so idk if that makes a difference, but when I was growing up all of the older black men i met whether it was family members, church elders or just strangers at the store who need help would call me nephew and i’d call them unc. It’s definitely a big cultural thing in the black community.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
Wild! I'm from the Central Valley originally and moved up the coast years ago and never heard it at all, even spending time at Black friends houses and whatnot. Could just be that I'm even further outside than I thought but I wonder if it's correlated to the Black folks I've known/been close to not going to church?
NateTheCadet@reddit
Well I’m originally from Sacramento but I do also think it might have something to do with just not everyone says the same things yk? And it could also be the case that you just weren’t around enough or present in those certain situations. I will say sometimes black people code switch in the presence of non black people so it could be a lot of different factors. And I would also add that people fresh to the west coast originally from the south vs people who have been in the west coast for generations/black people who grew up in predominantly white communities vs predominantly black vs mixed communities are all going to speak differently.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
All really good points. On the note about people being recent transplants vs generationally established, I recall a buddy in high school having no earthly idea what dead ass meant, mind you this was the last 00s or early 10s, and people insisting it was absolutely normal slang that he should know as a Black guy (no one expected me to know it) and he ended up pretty mad at the assumption about "black telepathy" as I think he put it. Linguistics are interesting and weird and people are so often not at all normal about them.
sgtm7@reddit
I am black, and I had to do an internet search to find out what dead ass meant. I am not sure if I have ever heard that. Or maybe I might have heard it and ignored it because the context of the entire conversation didn't make it necessary to understanding the conversation.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
My understanding is it's more NYC slang than Black slang but honestly most slang has always passed me by
sgtm7@reddit
I have always been the same with slang. Even more so since I haven't lived in the USA since 2007. But the slang in question supposedly came about in the 1990s.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
It didn't hit my area of California until about the time you left the states, maybe a bit later, but then again the Internet didn't have such a death grip on us all back then
Changeling53@reddit
That is so weird to me. I'm from the center of the Midwest and calling an older gentleman. Pop or Unk is something that has been around here since I was a kid or younger. It's not just in the black community either seems to cross all formats. The whole brother bro thing. Same way. Only time I have ever called a lady sister though has been at church. That may be a regional thing too
LopsidedGrapefruit11@reddit
Yeah, either the normal people in the black community or super religious cooky white people.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Uncle and Auntie are also common in the Native American community.
Decent-Bear334@reddit
Also in Hawaii.
easy_Money@reddit
Am I chopped unc
Stan_Deviant@reddit
I think the equivalent of what they are talking about is the southern/military "sir" and "ma'am"? I can't think about what else it would be in the North, but the usage is less.
bayouz@reddit
I moved from the South to the Midwest and I get the strangest reactions from people. One acted like my saying, "yes, ma'am," was disrespectful. Try as I might, I can't stop myself.
AlienRealityShow@reddit
Ma’am in the Midwest has an old lady connotation so it’s like “thanks grandma”. But in the South it seems to have no age requirement, and my family thought it was hilarious the waitress called my 15 year old cousin ma’am.
Minimum-Interview800@reddit
I've lived in Georgia my whole life and call everyone ma'am and sir. My cats and dog, my kids, nieces and nephews. I work in a kindergarten classroom and call my students sir/ma'am.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
Well the closest I personally get is calling people boss, but honestly you'd probably have an easier time killing me than getting me to sit/ma'am people all the time.
bayouz@reddit
Yeah, but once it's ingrained in you it's impossible to stop. The yes ma'am and no sir just come out
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
What's your point?
Stan_Deviant@reddit
Right, it isn't really a thing in the not-South that I have seen.
wfbhp@reddit
Please, for the love of all that is right and good, do not go around calling strangers "brother," "bro," "bra," or (worst of all) "bruh." I cannot tell you how much I hate when people do this to me. I would rather someone walk up to me and say "hey asshole" than this. I have a particularly strong aversion to this, but I know many others who also don't like it.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
Look, mate, I get it but I have no option. I'm Californian by birth. It's in the DNA next to the gene that makes me perk up like a meerkat when someone says asada fries.
wfbhp@reddit
Ok, that image made me snort-laugh, so you're forgiven.
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
It's lethal.accueate, too.
Bonus content: if you ever wanna start a fight with someone from San Diego, tell them fries should not be inside a burrito
rutherfraud1876@reddit
"Brother" - particularly pronounced "brotha" - is also a little racially coded at least around here, but not as much I guess
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
It's completely standard fare on the West Coast to call someone brother pronounced any which way, but language isn't universal
rutherfraud1876@reddit
Made that comment without my Pennsylvania flair 🤦
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
While I've got you, how common are oil heaters in Penn? They sound like some Victorian gaslight novel affectation to me but I keep hearing about them
rutherfraud1876@reddit
Like, for home heating? Not unheard of but methane ("natural") gas is much more popular - but I haven't lived in a house with one, sorry
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
All good, thanks for the perspective! Hearing about people getting oil tanks filled is very... Odd, having grown up in a place where temps below freezing could just shut down schools entirely but 110° was just how July worked
roseimelda@reddit
Round these parts we only use Mother or Father for a member of a religious community.
DearDarlingDollies@reddit
I'm in the southern Midwest and have heard sis or sister used (but only by other women) as a term of endearment or a name place holder.
sharrrper@reddit
Or religious fundamentalists
RandomPaw@reddit
Or nuns
_gooder@reddit
Or drunk woman in the ladies room.
SevenSixOne@reddit
Yeah, I get that it can be a hard habit to break if your native language/culture expects you to use an honorific every time you speak to someone... but a lot of Americans are going to find it really weird and off-putting if you speak to them that way!
anfilco@reddit
Southern (and occasionally elsewhere), Redneck, and sometimes Rural American have "cousin", but it's usually directed towards other people of similar background to themselves. It's used elsewhere as well, but usually within communities, not with random people.
velociraptorlunch@reddit
I use “friend” or “neighbor” sometimes
JimBones31@reddit
Also, say things like "nice shoes!", "I like your hat!", and "Shit weather today huh".
savguy6@reddit
Funny enough the “shit weather today huh” comment would come off as a little abrasive in the south, especially from a stranger as an opening line. Not rude, but it would make someone a bit taken aback by it.
Admirable-Cobbler319@reddit
But if you complain about the weather after a greeting, it's perfectly fine.
"Hey, how are you today?"
"I'm good, but I'm about sick of this cold/heat/rain/pollen"
mp85747@reddit
Hey, people can't agree even on the weather! ;-)
tiny_bamboo@reddit
It would be considered rude in the small N Georgia town where I live.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
I was going to say, I’m in a big city in the South, this wouldn’t be a big deal. It’s more the small towns people think of when they say “the South”.
devilbunny@reddit
It’s inappropriate to curse in public even if nobody would be shocked by it.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
That’s one opinion, but not one shared by everyone. It will depend on location.
devilbunny@reddit
Even Trump doesn’t curse in his speeches. And sometimes it pays to be inappropriate. If you do it all the time, though, you’re just that schizophrenic homeless guy by the gas station.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
Who said anything about cussing all the time? The example given just had one instance of “shit”.
devilbunny@reddit
I said it was inappropriate, not cause for a death sentence. I don’t say “shit” in the grocery store, unless I stub my toe, and then I do it quietly.
I don’t want a G-rated world, but save cursing for when it has an impact.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
You’re welcome to your opinion, but not everyone feels the same way.
Curmudgy@reddit
It’s “all the time” as opposed to “just times when you know for sure the others around you won’t be offended”, especially when it’s unnecessary.
JimBones31@reddit
That is a bit funny because if I said that to the cashier at Hannaford they would say "oh yeah bud".
Outlaw_Josie_Snails@reddit
In my youth in New Jersey, my friends and I used the term "bud" or "buddy," but I hardly hear that anymore. I only hear Canadians say that.
It is interesting to see it still being said in New England.
Street-Ad7570@reddit
I call nearly everyone “Bud” and it does seem fairly uncommon, but I grew up in Minnesota which is culturally more like Canada than the U.S.
GreenBeanTM@reddit
It’s not by young people 😂
notonrexmanningday@reddit
We use it A LOT in the Midwest.
I call everyone "bud".
JimBones31@reddit
We're slow to change lol
Illustrious-Shirt569@reddit
Yeah, it would be considered very crass to use swear words in a casual interaction with a stranger or service person where I live in California as well, especially if there may also be children in the vicinity, like at a grocery store.
cheyannepavan@reddit
It wouldn't be considered crass where I live (directly in between NYC and Philadelphia, about an hour and a half to each). It's not considered rude unless the tone of voice is overly rude.
Illustrious-Shirt569@reddit
Yeah, I lived in Boston for almost a decade, and that was one of the cultural differences that really stood out to me - adults cursing as part of normal speech in public. Here that’s just pretty much just something that idiot teens and young adults trying to be “cool” do and get lots of side-eye from everyone else. Or drunk people.
Remarkable_Table_279@reddit
Would be considered very rude to say to a stranger especially if they’re elderly or a woman where I grew up in the south.
saltporksuit@reddit
My northern friend tried to buy a Seagrams tall boy and lottery tickets on a Sunday morning in Tennessee without doing a proper greeting exchange with the elderly lady at the counter. The old woman, who had already looked unamused at her selection of Seagrams, sniffed, got up and went to the back never to return. Friend did not get her booze and lottery tickets and could not understand when I tried to explain her failure.
OkElephant1931@reddit
Yeah, the vulgar language would offend some people. They would consider you quite uncouth.
Better to say “Beautiful day today” even if the weather is crap.
abstractraj@reddit
I’m in the south and it is in fact shit weather today
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
As a woman if a random man compliments my shoes I'm probably going to assume they're trying to pull some "where'd you get those shoes?" bullshit.
crispynarwhal@reddit
I'd assume he wanted to try them on. Sadly, they might fit.
JimBones31@reddit
What is that "where'd you get your shoes" thing?
I assumed that was one of the safest ways to say something nice to someone without coming onto them or being a creep.
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
It's a common street scam in New Orleans but I've seen it in other cities too. They're trying to get you to talk to them so they can make a bet with you or generally fuck with you.
It's more a situational thing. On the street in a city or urban suburb I'm not trying to talk to anyone.
DjinnaG@reddit
The tense is wrong, it’s phrased as “where you got those shoes,” for the scam, as in, “I bet xyz that I can guess where you got those shoes,” which person from out of town takes, because how could someone guess where they bought them, 1000 miles away? The answer is then “you’ve got those shoes on Bourbon Street,” where they are standing wearing them at that moment. It’s a play on the double duty of the word got, both as the past tense for acquiring and the present tense of having
I have tried to stop multiple friends from taking the bet, though I don’t explain the trick, just warn them that it is one, and they will regret it, and then a minute later, they’re getting their sneakers “shined”. Which is a cheap way to learn to trust your friends over a street hustler
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
Right but this is just one of many street scams you’ll run into. Im ignoring whatever they say. Your friends’ mistake is engaging at all.
QuinceDaPence@reddit
So if someone asks me that I should reply: "Yo mamas house." Got it.
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
Your best bet with most people addressing you on the street in most cities is just act like they’re invisible.
poortomato@reddit
Things I had to teach my Texan spouse when he visited NY for the first time 😅
notonrexmanningday@reddit
The correct reply is, "I got em on my feet"
First heard this in Austin nearly 30 years ago. It was a common thing among the Drag Rats.
cargonzabeans@reddit
"Where'd you get your shoes" is not a nice thing to say. While seemingly neutral, it's not necessarily a complement.
It's a weird comment because why would someone care where your shoes were purchased unless they were looking to buy some themselves. So it's weird because they don't actually care and are just looking to disarm for any number of reasons, creepy being one of them.
More meaningful questions are more likely to get positive attention.
JimBones31@reddit
Oh no, I would simply say "nice shoes!", smile and continue walking.
crispynarwhal@reddit
"Cute shoes!" is very Southern. I can't imagine it in a Boston or Minnesota accent, but I've heard it a lot down here.
arsenskims@reddit
talking about food
browneyedredhead1968@reddit
The thing about the USA is that there isn't a blanket answer. My dad was in the military so I use ma'am and sir. Some find that offensive. But I still use it, and just apologize if I offend them. Quite frankly we are pretty friendly and aren't offended by a simple hello or hi.
klenneth_@reddit
I feel like no one is answering this well.
When you greet someone you don’t need to address them with a label to be polite. If it’s a stranger you’re interacting with like a cashier saying “hello” with a smile is perfectly fine but if you want it a little friendlier you can say “Hi, how are you?” If they ask how you are doing first, you would typically ask them back.
If you’re interacting with a stranger in a social setting you can compliment them, but be careful with the kind of compliment. A man saying “that shirt looks good on you” to a woman is probably going to sound like he’s hitting on her. But “I like your shoes” or “I love your bag” is pretty safe. Really not necessary though to be friendly.
If you want to be extra polite to someone that’s older or someone you especially want to show respect to, you can say “Ma’am” or “sir”, but it’s not necessarily a sign of friendliness, just respect. For instance, I would say ma’am or sir to a police officer without trying to seem friendly.
Everything else like buddy, boss, brother, dude is not rude but it’s assuming people don’t find it annoying. Some people like it, some people done. For women I would just avoid terms of address, especially if you’re a man. Some older folks say “honey” or “darlin” but again not everyone likes that and some find it condescending.
The friendliest thing you can do with a stranger you’re interacting with is be respectful and listen to them intentionally if they’re talking to you.
RangerBuzz_Lightbulb@reddit
I say “sir” and “miss”
Stan_Deviant@reddit
As a woman, the variety of compliments I will give other women and be cool with them giving me is pretty wide but you are right- from men... Even if you nod and smile back you potentially have opened a terrible box.
One of the nicer ones to hear was "I appreciate your vibe". It was from a homeless guy but it wasn't threatening and wasn't just about what I was wearing or my body. I think the switch from "like" to "appreciate" also made a difference - but I'm not sure I can explain why. He got a smile and a thank you for the compliment. He might say it to everyone but it seemed genuine and kind. I say this to add that the physical posturing, tone, and expectations can make a lot of difference in how you come off with those styles of greetings.
CircusStuff@reddit
I've noticed a lot of older gen x or boomer men will make comments to women they don't know very well that I assume they THINK are compliments but they just... aren't. "You look different." "You changed your hair". It makes me uncomfortable. It's either that or straight up commenting on someone's body/weight. Like dude, you don't need to say anything at all.
RangerBuzz_Lightbulb@reddit
My grandpa told a cashier she looked like she was from Argentina
ketingmiladengfodo@reddit
This is good advice. I'll add a couple of things.
You can learn a lot just by observing how other people treat you. Some people, even in the workplace, will be extremely informal, using "dude," "bro," or even using insults as a way of teasingly bonding with people. Others can be extremely professional and formal, to the point of insisting you address them as "Dr. ___" if they have a Ph.D. Situations vary a lot in the U.S. It's not really one culture. It's usually best to mimic the way others treat you, but be careful with that as well.
"Sir" and "Ma'am" are becoming problematic in some communities because some people don't identify as either male or female, or they don't identify as the gender they appear to be on the surface. "Ma'am" is also considered insulting by many women as it implies that you are an older woman. This is different region to region. In the Northeast, calling a 30-something woman "ma'am" is not a good idea. Calling a group of women "you guys" in the South is also not a good idea.
Appropriate_Clerk167@reddit
This is the answer.
But also, I reserve special names for if I recognize their race/culture. (E.g. if you're Chinese, I am more open to referring to you as auntie or uncle right away). That can be tricky for a foreigner who isn't used to a "melting pot"
Beautiful-Rent6691@reddit
And in the South ma’am and sir is expected. In the North it can be see as condescending or ageist, so it’s tricky.
Standard-Outcome9881@reddit
Well, they can go and keep expecting that down there cause I ain’t gonna ever use it.
flrbonihacwm-t-wm@reddit
I call people suge a lot (North Carolina)
mcalesy@reddit
For the OP, this spelling might be confusing, since the pronunciation is “shoog”. It’s the first syllable of “sugar” (which is pronounced “shooger”).
Vandal_A@reddit
As a guy , and one who's not from the south, the only ways I can use suge/sugar are either to be playfully sarcastic or deeply, deeply condescending
flrbonihacwm-t-wm@reddit
I’m a woman, so I get away with it lol
vashtachordata@reddit
It’s never expected unless maybe you’re the child of a strict parent. In the general public no one is worried about this. Even in the deepest south.
Stan_Deviant@reddit
I've had military kids in my bar that can't help themselves with the ma'am thing. Like you tell them not to and then they start it and stammer around it the rest of the night. For some it is still ingrained.
crispynarwhal@reddit
Depends on where in the South. Anyplace that's had a sizeable influx of people from off no longer expects it, and (especially younger people) may be startled. My children were brought up to say Ma'am and Sir, but few of their age-mates were, and the only one that still does is in the military. It's fine not to, unless you're addressing a complete stranger or someone well past retirement.
Vandal_A@reddit
I know it was probably a typo but describing people who are from areas outside of your own as "from off" seems like it really should be a Southern thing.
Ok_Driver_6895@reddit
It is.
crispynarwhal@reddit
Not a typo. It really is a Southern phrase!
Beautiful-Rent6691@reddit
To clarify, I meant expected as in “common or unsurprising” not “compulsory”.
shrlzi@reddit
And also it’s common for salespeople/waitresses to call customers Honey
rnoyfb@reddit
That’s the stereotype but it really isn’t that simple. I’ve had middle-aged Southerners tell me it was rude to call them ma’am and northerners offended that I didn’t when I was an employee abcs they were the customer
You just can’t please everyone. The most consistent one is if you know they’re enlisted in the military, don’t call them sir/ma’am because they “work for a living”
Anon-John-Silver@reddit
Here in Utah, ma’am and sir are just neutral, an impersonal default to call anyone you don’t know in public. We don’t call our parents or grandparents sir or ma’am.
BuildNuyTheUrbanGuy@reddit
No it's not expected. It's not the 50s.
LivingWaffle33@reddit
Ive seen it become a problem before so id also recommend practicing small talk beforehand and understand that when people ask how you are in public they are not looking for a real answer just to confirm if your day is going well or not
yossariandawn@reddit
This is a very good explanation!
nakedonmygoat@reddit
If they ask how you are doing first, you would typically ask them back.
With the caveat that the answer to "How are you?" is always some form of "Great, and how are you?" The only exception is if you know the person well. With strangers, you're always doing fine.
retrofrenchtoast@reddit
Calling a woman “ma’am” can end poorly. You can use “Miss,” but someone could probably take that the wrong way, too. I would err on the side of caution and use “Miss.”
I always live somewhere that “Miss” is applied to people of all ages, in the form of “Miss FirstName.”
iciclefites@reddit
yeah, using any special nomenclature runs the risk of seeming incredibly rude in the wrong context. you can just not do that and you'll be fine.
Emergency-Office-302@reddit
I hope OP finds your reply.
Inconsequentialish@reddit
Honestly, we love stuff like this.
If you use terms from your culture and/or language and you have an accent and a little charm, it'll be just fine. I've been called "brother", "cousin", "amigo", "papi", "luv", "habibi" and many other terms of endearment in English and in other languages.
Even in American cultures, there's a lot of variation; I've been called everything from "bossman" to "baby" when ordering food, for example, and it was perfectly fine and appropriate, and often very charming.
wee-woo-one@reddit
Really depends on the person. I've been called mami, luv, and bunnie by an older woman who clearly meant it as an endearment, and I felt weird about it. A woman "bless your heart"ed me and I was pitiful at the time, so that didnt feel great either. Really depends.
Barutano74@reddit
I am laughing at rhe idea of calling the random stranger on the sidewalk who I’m, say, asking for directions, “papi” 😂
amc365@reddit
What’s up chief?
serendipitymoxie@reddit
You can't go wrong with ma'am or sir.
heybud_letsparty@reddit
An easy way to strike up a friendly conversation is just asking who they voted for.
Rhombusofrecipes@reddit
Beautiful day today
HeartwarminSalt@reddit
This! Talk about the weather to determine if they are a chatty person or not.
LeftyOne22@reddit
Honestly just a simple hey hows it going with a nod and a smile works almost everywhere. Dont overthink it. Avoid brother unless youre in a gym or a barber shop. And definitely do not call anyone mother or father unless you want to see some very confused faces. Sir and maam are safe for older folks if you want to be extra polite but even that is fading. A genuine hello is enough.
bryku@reddit
Im cornholio I need to for my bunghole.
ATLien_3000@reddit
Don't.
781nnylasil@reddit
I think if you feel the need to address them with a name, the most common is sir, mam, miss.
VisionAri_VA@reddit
We don’t generally use honorifics unless we’re trying to catch someone’s attention (“Excuse me, sir…”) For the most part, we just walk up and start a conversation.
No_Associate_4878@reddit
You can use Sir and Ma'am for men and women who are old enough to be your parents, but it's also totally normal to just speak to someone without addressing them. Be friendly with your tone of voice and demeanor.
realvctmsdntdrnkmlk@reddit
Awww. Are you Persian?
Punkinsmom@reddit
Sir and Ma'am usually work if you don't know someone. I am now Miss Punkinsmom for the most part because I am old and live in the south. One of my young friends calls me Lil' Momma - but that is very much because he is a close friend. Some people call me Mom or Auntie - depending on their culture. I answer to all of them.
America is weird - use names if you are unsure.
Standard-Outcome9881@reddit
“Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?”
Or not.
Usually, “Hi,” “Hello,” “How’s it going?”
BusinessWarthog6@reddit
Hello, how are you
emmasdad01@reddit
Hey! Watch it there pal!
AgileSurprise1966@reddit
I'm not your buddy, pal!
emmasdad01@reddit
I not your pal, friend!
hbi2k@reddit
I'm not your friend, guy!
freeski919@reddit
I'm not your guy, pal!
Standard-Outcome9881@reddit
I ain’t your pal, mac!
wekilledbambi03@reddit
You guys want /r/AskACanadian
freeski919@reddit
Conveniently, I'm also Canadian.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Tabarnak! They’ve invaded.
freeski919@reddit
Canada just changed their citizenship law, and it automatically made about 20 million people in the US Canadian citizens. So yup, we have.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Calice de Criss! Tabarnak!
JadziaEzri81@reddit
OP, if you don't know, all these people are referencing a thing from the show South Park
Aellithion@reddit
And we go straight to Canada!
Secret_Procedure8277@reddit
ngl that's kinda wild like we barely call anyone anything here except hey dude or something
WeAreTheMisfits@reddit
How is it your business how I am.
Neylarae@reddit
Hello, sorry to bother you but I like your outfit!
Retskcaj19@reddit
Gasps and clutches pearls
Normal-Sprinkles6799@reddit
Just say "hi". No need to call someone "sister" or anything that shows you know they're older. It's obvious enough without stating it. People of all ages want to be treated as "normal"...not too young or too old. Avoid "dear", "sweetie", etc. Pretend that 80 year old is really 40 because he probably feels like he's still 40 even through the wrinkles.
TheBimpo@reddit
Address people with terms that aren't gendered or aged.
Dude, buddy, friend, homie, amigo, you, you guys, yinz, y'all.
SabreLee61@reddit
What’s wrong with gendered terms? ‘Sir’ and ‘ma’am’ are the most common forms of address.
Gooners-Anonymous@reddit
the only women in the US that would not be upset by “ma-am” would be southern elderly folk
MissFabulina@reddit
I would say that more than half of US women hate being called ma'am.
SabreLee61@reddit
Well then how do they expect to be addressed? ‘Madam’? Because you can’t expect people to call you ‘miss’ your whole life.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
You don’t have to use a title at all.
Not-Surprised-1999@reddit
I don't love the ma'am thing either but it is ubiquitous here in SWVA. I taught my kids to address a female of any age as "ma'am" (and males as "sir") if they didn't know the person's name. I didn't want my kids labeled rude and disrespectful by most adult strangers they meet.
Hawk13424@reddit
I still do it. It’s just habit. Was raised that way.
TheBimpo@reddit
Because you don’t know what someone’s actual identity is. It is safer to use a more broad term that is more inclusive.
SabreLee61@reddit
Abandoning the most common and respectful forms of address out of fear of potentially misgendering someone is peak absurdity.
Top_Copy_693@reddit
The vast majority of Americans are still using gendered terms to address people and there's nothing wrong with that.
SabreLee61@reddit
Yeah I’m just challenging the commenter’s premise.
Top_Copy_693@reddit
I'm agreeing with you 😊
SabreLee61@reddit
Yes, I understood that lol
MrsMorley@reddit
Speaking as an old woman, no, none of those terms will land well.
TheBimpo@reddit
Friend?
MrsMorley@reddit
No, “friend” from a stranger won’t land well either.
The stranger isn’t my friend, and I’m not theirs. Claiming an intimacy that doesn’t exist paints that stranger as deceptive.
I’m pretty sure that’s not your aim.
Gooners-Anonymous@reddit
do you accept anything other than Mrs. Morley?
Top_Copy_693@reddit
Amigo isn't gendered?
Ell15@reddit
It is in the linguistic sense obviously, but to a lot of Americans it’s just a fun was to say ‘buddy’ and maintains the neutral interpretation from that association. A lot of us only speak one language, and truely don’t understand the words from other languages we adopt.
Top_Copy_693@reddit
I think based on gendered usage, words like buddy, dude and homie are way more commonly spoken by males and directed at other males.
Dude is a funny suggestion because if you say "this dude" everyone knows you mean "this man".
MissLeliel@reddit
“Dude” is a funny one because if you say “this dude walked up” people understand “this man”. But if you say “hey, dude(s)” or “Dude, wtf” it’s gender neutral (at least in NorCal)
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Not a single soul has ever referred to my 5’1” grannie self as “dude” lol
crispynarwhal@reddit
This old lady has occasionally used it in a gender-neutral sense. Usually with a prolonged U "duuuude..." and a stare over the readers.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
lol My husband knows he’s in trouble when I do this
MissLeliel@reddit
Probably out of respect that younger people don’t if they don’t know you, or if your age group didn’t grow up saying it a lot. I’m 40s and not likely to call my boss or my elders “dude.” but I guarantee I’ll be calling my besties “dude” in our elder nerd retirement commune. 😂
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
😂 “Dude!” And then whack them with your cane.
MissLeliel@reddit
100% that will be us lol
SnooChipmunks2079@reddit
I think dude is gender neutral to most of the Good Burger generation.
TehLoneWanderer101@reddit
California in general. Ladies use "dude" and I've accidentally called ladies "dude" and when I apologize most usually laugh and say they don't care.
lisasimpsonfan@reddit
Depends on the age of the speaker. GenX everyone can be a dude in the correct context. He's a dude, she's a dude, the dog is a dude and even the cat's a dude. "Dude what are you doing?" when anyone screws up is classic. It has nothing to do with sex/gender.
Burnallthepages@reddit
But you haven’t lived until you’ve been called “Sugar” by an old southern white lady or especially “Baby” by an old southern Black lady. Gives me all the warm fuzzies!
cargonzabeans@reddit
Same with mija/mijo in Hispanic areas 🥰
Burnallthepages@reddit
Absolutely!
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
It’s so endearing 💖 Love it!
Quix66@reddit
My age those are definitely gendered terms.
r1ncewind1@reddit
Usually really easy to detect gender?
crispynarwhal@reddit
The clues people rely on are really surface. Hair and breasts. Female cancer patients get misgendered a lot, especially if they've had surgery for breast cancer. Let's add insult to injury, how fun!
HavBoWilTrvl@reddit
Don't assume. And I say that as someone who is not transgender but was mis-gendered frequently during adolescence. It's just annoying.
r1ncewind1@reddit
I always assume; never been wrong yet. Androgyonous kids might be an exception i will grant you
BulldMc@reddit
You mean you've never been called out on being wrong. People get used to taking it.
Hawk13424@reddit
If someone doesn’t like the term I use, they can let me know and I’ll use their preferred term.
r1ncewind1@reddit
What do you mean preferred? I can generally see with my eyes if im talking to a man or woman?
Hawk13424@reddit
Sometimes they might desire I refer to them as something other than what I assume form their looks. If they ask me to do so then I will accommodate them.
r1ncewind1@reddit
Really? Almost feels like encouraging delusion
Hawk13424@reddit
Nope, just being nice and accommodating when possible.
BulldMc@reddit
Generally isn't "never wrong".
r1ncewind1@reddit
I was being generous with use of the word generally
SnooChipmunks2079@reddit
Until it isn’t.
I “sir”-ed a woman once. She had a crew cut and impressive shoulder muscles and was wearing a wife beater so as I scanned down her it seemed right and the “sir” was about halfway out when as I kept scanning, “oh shit, breasts, abort abort!!”
NetheriteTiara@reddit
💀yinz, OK, PA
Ghoulish_kitten@reddit
Dude and amigo don’t always fit in this category.
Weary_Capital_1379@reddit
I hate when someone I don’t know calls me any of those things. Especially Dude. Or hey Chief or the like.
BalrogRuthenburg11@reddit
Hey there tiger
Weary_Capital_1379@reddit
Grrr
Kielbasa_Nunchucka@reddit
alright, calm down dude
ForceOfNature525@reddit
The Dude. That's a moniker nobody would self-apply where I come from.
FarMagician8042@reddit
El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
RightYouAreKen1@reddit
How about sport?
Daddysheremyluv@reddit
Uh the post Mom and Dad split up trying to be cool to a 10 year old. Also include Buddy, big guy, broski, MYman, and BigFella (especially if Mom is a MILF)
Weary_Capital_1379@reddit
Sir will do fine
Quirky-Invite7664@reddit
Chief is usually condescending
Whybaby16154@reddit
It means that salesman forgot your name. They always revert to generic nicknames like buddy, pal, chief, dude.
SnooSquirrels4991@reddit
Well you’re a bitch.
therealcmj@reddit
Bro.
booked462@reddit
In rhe south, including Texas, sir and ma'am are the preferred friendly terms. Generally. Sometimes younger women take offense to ma'am, seeming to think it makes them seem elderly, but I even call teens and younger children ma'am and sir out of courtesy and respect.
MikaleaPaige@reddit
Where i am there is lots of endearments lol. We call everyone darling, doll, sweetie, honey, sugar, ect. It is starting to become less common though. Lots of "it sure it pretty out today!" Or "its raini g cats and dogs out there!". It really differs vetween what area you are in though, because when i used to travel for pagents if id talk to a random stranger they would look at me like i grew a second head lol.
Djinn_42@reddit
Imo using such terms is very cultural and the US has many cultures. So I wouldn't use any family terms like that just to be safe.
TipsyBaker_@reddit
You don't need to address strangers with a label. In some situations it's best to not even try. Just start with a basic Hello or Excuse me. They will at some point tell you what they want to be called.
Status_Inspector_246@reddit
“Hun”. As in “Take care now, hun”
Knitspin@reddit
To show respect in the South, you say sir or ma’am. It still works in the north, but will get you a look. 👀
Footnotegirl1@reddit
In the US, it is generally accepted that the person you are speaking to is your absolute equal except in very specific situations or when it is a very formal situation. So you wouldn't use honoriffics generally speaking. In a more formal situation. If you are in a more formal situation, it's "Sir" or "Ma'am" or "Miss".
Within close knit cultural communities, "uncle" or "auntie" or other respectful terms for elders might be common, but you would know that you are in that sort of situation. It's not generally for people from the outside of those groups.
When you are very close and comfortable with others, 'dude' or 'bro' or other colloquial terms of affection might develop.
Kielbasa_Nunchucka@reddit
I call most giys "buddy" or "boss," and I call most women "darlin" or "dear"
JadziaEzri81@reddit
If you call me darlin' or dear we are done speaking
Because it's clear that you view me as inferior to you
Emergency-Office-302@reddit
Umm, what? That’s not clear at all.
Tbf, my wife, who is from New York, shut down my attempts to teach our sons to address adults as “sir” or “ma’am,” or to use “please” if they are asking someone to do something that person is supposed to do — e.g. to a waitress, “Could I have another glass of tea, please?”
We live in Tennessee.
She has yet to understand that some if not many people think our boys, who are very nice and very good men, are rude.
Teaching in a girls’ school I addressed any class as “Ladies” and used “ma’am” freely with individual students. Neither students nor their parents seemed to find that in any way odd, although maybe they were just being polite.
fiestybox246@reddit
Does your wife refer to servers as “the help” too? You need to take control of the situation and teach your kids to say please and thank you.
quitealargeorangecat@reddit
And you probably wonder why women don’t want to talk to you.
BulldMc@reddit
>I call most women "darlin"
In Pittsburgh? You are for sure making an impression, not sure it's a good one in many cases.
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
Whatever you do, do not call any stranger "honey" or "dear".. People from other cultures seem to think it is it's acceptable but we reserve that term for very close friends or family. Otherwise it just sounds condescending.
clintj1975@reddit
Especially in the southeast states. "Honey" can be something you use for a loved one, or can be used to sweeten up a thinly veiled insult.
"Honey, that chicken salad you made was perfect" hits very different than "Oh honey, it's not your fault. You didn't know any better."
fiestybox246@reddit
Bless your heart. 💀
Disastrous_Fault_511@reddit
I'm from the South and I always hated it.
TrixieLurker@reddit
Sorry to hear that hon.
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
Lol. See right there? automatic cringe!😆🤣
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
You wouldn’t enjoy Baltimore
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
I'm not the only one who feels this way. A lot of people who use those terms do not mean them in a nice way. As I said earlier context is important.
WhatABeautifulMess@reddit
Never implied you were.
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
I just think it's good for people from other cultures to be aware of this when visiting. Because they might mean well when they say it but it might not be taken that way depending on where in the country they use it.
goodtipsareneeded@reddit
I’m from the south and that’s normal here.
JellyfishFit3871@reddit
I'm a southern US grandmother. I call everyone honey or baby. But that's normal HERE, and I can't remember names!
JellyfishFit3871@reddit
That said, the older Indian man (Gujarati, I think,) at the gas station always calls me "dear" or "mother" and I love him for that!
Remarkable_Table_279@reddit
I had to stop myself from being as I called it “annoying southern woman who called everyone honey” took the time for someone to say “you know you use honey when you’re annoyed & don’t want to call me an idiot” right? I hadn’t. Now it’s reserved for strange kids who are blocking my way in the store..excuse me honey I need to get past
Appalachian_Aioli@reddit
Bout to say, I’ve been called Honey by many waitresses and dear by many old people I’ve never met before.
tibearius1123@reddit
I love going to Benning and all the waitresses call me sugar and honey.
TrixieLurker@reddit
Nah, older women call me this all the time, it is a friendly term of endearment.
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
You might be okay with it, but many people do not not appreciate strangers or aquantances using those terms with them.
If Im not dating you or related to you, don't "honey" or "dear" me.
TheCloudForest@reddit
You sound extremely wound up about something extremely inconsequential.
freeski919@reddit
It depends on who you are. If you're a man, definitely don't say honey or dear to someone you don't know. It's condescending and weird.
Women of any age are slightly more free to use those terms, but younger women usually don't because they don't want to give men the idea that they're flirting.
Older women can and do use terms like honey and dear freely.
Lucky_Ad2801@reddit
Yeah I think age also has something to do with it. Because I get really weirded when people significantly younger then myself try to "dear" me... but if somebody signifantly older said it to me and was being genuinely caring, I probably would not mind that as much.
So yes there are a lot of variables here. Sometimes it can be acceptable, but other times it is not.
Which is why I would advise anyone coming from another country to not get in the habit of using those terms.
VixxenFoxx@reddit
Uhm, I get called "honey" or "dear" (or mija, ma'am, miss, sweetie, mama, sweetheart, or sugar) like 5 times a day and I probably dole it out at least twice as much.
hornbuckle56@reddit
Very Southern very common.
Ell15@reddit
I call folks ‘hun’ sometimes but it’s because I have had a hard time with names since getting a head injury as a teen. I get pushback on it plenty, but I explain myself and give off “group mom” energy so I think it helps some. Still totally annoys some folks.
RhinoPillMan@reddit
Not sure where you’re from, but I get that all the time and it doesn’t phase me because it’s so common. Then again, calling a stranger papi or primo is also completely normal where I am.
Deep-Profession-9321@reddit
It's always fascinating to read questions on here from foreigners and they're like "In my country we do this, do you do this in America?" and the answer is typically "Not only do we do that, we invented that". Calling people bro/brother is so iconically American but it's spread around the world because of our cultures global reach, so it's funny when foreigners ask if we call each other bro. It's like the other day I had a Brit ask me if American's know about iPhones.
SrWaterdoggy@reddit
I generally find ‘miss’ and ‘mister’ pretty disarming when said with a smile, and Thank you Sir (or ma’am) looking them in the eye. People always seem to be looking for a slight (disrespect) so I try to be super obvious. Family references would be endearing from someone obviously foreign but not from a random stranger.
useruser551@reddit
You can use the term “man” pretty safely, although it’s maybe a bit casual when addressing an elder. I feel like using it adds an extra level of endearment or appreciation. Phrases like, “Hey man, how’s it going?” Or “Thanks man, I appreciate it” are common in retail settings or among friends/strangers
pfffffttuhmm@reddit
"Appreciate you" is one of my favorites. Men primarily say this to someone that has helped them in some way, like someone in customer service, even in a small way. So despite being female I decided I liked it and say it now.
hbi2k@reddit
"Sir" is the safest form of address for men. "Ma'am" is the most direct equivalent for women, but you've got to be careful with that one, some women don't like it (makes them feel old). "Miss" is safer for young women, but you've got to be careful with that one too, can come across as sarcastic.
"Brother" or "sister" can work, but usually not until deeper into a conversation; you might use it after discovering a point of agreement, to denote that you now feel more casual. "I like this place, but the place across the street is better." "Brother, I heard that!"
Honestly, there are more ways to go wrong than right with specific forms of address like that. "Excuse me" works to get someone's attention, and after that you can say "you," or if the conversation goes long enough, just ask their name.
BoulderNerd@reddit
A tour guide in Hawaii addressed me as “captain” on a canoe tour on a river. He meant it in a friendly fashion, but it sounded slightly jarring to me at the time since no one had ever done so in the past.
Mysterious_Beanz@reddit
The accuracy in this description is spot-on. Go with "sir" or "ma'am" a those are the most appropriate terms in your approach to verbally communicate.
Fosad@reddit
Wuddup
johnstonb@reddit
Greet a group of people in the NE as “You guys”. Great a group of people in the SE as “Y’all”.
Friendly-Pool-1424@reddit
I would refrain from all of these because they bespeak a familiarity you do not have
ThrowRA_whatstheword@reddit
Labels like that here are pretty dependent on the region and age group. Like in the south and some parts of the Midwest you get a lot of people, especially older people, addressing people as honey, sweetie, hun, etc. Younger generations you get more bro, dude, maybe brother but only sometimes. There isn't really a specific label set here I don't think. I dont really address people I don't know as anything other than maybe sir or ma'am, but thats just from how I was raised haha.
FormerlyDK@reddit
In the USA, you’re better off not using any of these terms, except maybe “bro” to a young man.
SusanLFlores@reddit
Yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you ma’am, no thank you ma’am, excuse me ma’am and yes sir, no sir, thank you sir, no thank you sir, excuse me sir all work well depending on the situation.
Onyx_Lat@reddit
This is going to vary depending on where you are, but in general our culture is informal so using such honorifics would be seen as weird and uncomfortable.
Now, you can usually get away with sir/ma'am, especially in the South where it's more expected. But for us it's a marker of politeness, not friendliness. A Walmart checker would call a customer sir/ma'am for instance. Guys will sometimes tell you "no don't call me sir, that's my father" and sometimes women will take "ma'am" to mean that they look old. But if you ARE in a formal situation with the mayor or something, it would be appropriate to call him sir.
There are some women who call everyone honey or sweetie, though this is more common in southern or rural places. Men don't usually use those terms but instead might say darlin' (never pronounce the g though). Darling is reserved for your wife or something, but darlin' can be used with anyone. However, typically only older Southern men use it, as most women think it's creepy these days.
If in a casual situation, you can get away with "dude" sometimes. Most people view it as gender neutral, but there are some people who get offended by it. Same with how you can usually refer to a group of mixed gender as "you guys" but occasionally you'll find a woman who objects.
But, in general we don't call strangers by any particular honorific as a matter of course. Honorifics or titles are reserved for formal situations or if you're a child or the person you're talking to is old/rich/an authority figure. For instance a priest would be called Father. A CEO/policeman/lawyer would be sir or Mr. (Name) unless he tells you to call him by his first name. A doctor is always Dr. So-and-so, not Mr. or Mrs. College professors and other academic people are also often (but not universally) Dr. although in this case it means they have a PhD instead of being a medical doctor. A child would call a teacher Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. So-and-so. That's about the extent of our formality heh
ucbiker@reddit
The U.S. just doesn’t do this kind of thing as much, and it can actually get a little complex.
Like “sir” is generally polite for getting a man’s attention but wouldn’t get used in conversation continually like how other cultures will use “big brother,” or “grandpa” and such.
“Miss and ma’am” are the woman equivalent but age-based honorifics can be taken as impolite in the Northeast. Perfectly acceptable to call a young woman ma’am in many parts of the country but less acceptable to call a middle aged woman ma’am in the Northeast because it implies she looks old. I go with an age neutral “Ms.” (Mizz) and it’s fine.
Personally, I don’t use anything at all and wait to match other people’s level of familiarity. I and many people find being addressed with any sort of term by a stranger overly familiar. Like, I don’t particularly like being called “brother” by someone whom I’ve never met.
nakedonmygoat@reddit
Since "Miss" is an unmarried woman, addressing a woman as "Miss" is best avoided unless they're a child.
anonymouse278@reddit
There are some subcultures and specific situations in which you can use endearments or courtesy titles with strangers in the US, but it's pretty nuanced and you are safest not trying it if you aren't very confident in knowing what will and won't be offensive. Even something as formal as "sir" and "ma'am", which are traditionally respectful, can be taken badly if the person you're addressing sees it as a commentary on their age (you wouldn't normally call a peer or a younger person sir or ma'am, it's something for people you see as being much older) or an attempt at sarcasm.
You definitely can't call strangers mother or father. That just isn't a thing here. And brother and sister, where they are used for not-literal-siblings at all, are more of a sign of affection than specifically respect (except for certain religious contexts, where they are courtesy titles).
Basically, the safest way to address an American respectfully is by their name if you know it, and without a specific form of address if you don't.
bibliahebraica@reddit
I stick to “sir,” “mister” and “ma’am” for anybody I don’t know well, and for plenty of people I do know. They work especially well across a racial barrier, but they really never don’t work.
To get more familiar than that until we have a solid connection seems … laden with potential for misunderstanding.
Queasy-Flan2229@reddit
No don't start calling people familiar names, that's creep
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
I was born and reared in Texas and my go to is howdy with a big smile.
Responsible_Side8131@reddit
Do not call anyone brother, sister or father. That is weird and people will think it is very creepy.
sharrrper@reddit
I think in a friendly male to male conversation with people of similar age brother can work. But don't open with it. Something like:
OP: I'm from out of town, where's a good place to eat.
Guy: Try the Mexican place down the street
OP: Is the food spicy?
Guy: You like a lot of spice?
OP: You know it brother!
Guy: Then ask for the special hot sauce!
I've had conversations almost exactly like that and the term brother didn't come off awkward. I don't think I've heard anyone use sister or father to refer to strangers though.
Brother and sister are both used in the black community a lot but only for other black folks. Those who aren't black themself I'd caution against using it with any of them. It could potentially come off as mocking or insincere coming from an outsider, though I won't claim to be certain about the etiquette there.
Curmudgy@reddit
To me, that comes across more as a non-vulgar expletive and not a reference to the other person. In other words, it feels like an abbreviated form of “oh brother”.
Ghoulish_kitten@reddit
Thank you, but also all women do this with each other in America as well.
jda404@reddit
I think brother is mostly fine. I've had random strangers say stuff like thanks brother when I've held a door for them entering/exiting a building or helped them in some way, and I've had guys say to me hey brother as a quick greeting.
Tone is key though like with most things, but I've never personally had someone call me brother in a tone that they were angry or mad at me.
whatisakafka@reddit
No, brother is absolutely fine. Sister is risky but said in the right tone and context some people can get away with. Father is an absolute no.
crispynarwhal@reddit
Unless the stranger is dressed like a priest, and identifiably male, although I know a couple of female clergy who take it in stride.
butiknowitsonlylust@reddit
Depending on tone, I think brother can be fine. As a man, I’ve definitely gotten it in a friendly way from strangers at the bar and such.
t-poke@reddit
Yeah, it really depends on the situation.
I had a car salesman a couple years ago calling me “bro” nonstop and he just came off as a massive tool bag while doing it.
If you strike up a friendly conversation with another guy at the bar and he says “Hey bro, can I get you another beer?” I think that’s fine.
TrixieLurker@reddit
"My brother in Christ, I tell to tell you that's messed up!"
ocvagabond@reddit
No. Not in that context.
HorrorAlarming1163@reddit
For some reason blue collar dudes love calling everyone brother around here
Ghoulish_kitten@reddit
Calling people brother and sister is an American practice, and eso within the African American community.
Father definitely would confuse me but being creeped out by something like that sounds exhausting. Get it together, sister.
poobudman@reddit
You can call people “brother” if you are wearing red and yellow and have blonde hair. You have to commit to the “Hulk Hogan” vibe.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
It’s unusual, but not creepy.
Shoddy-Secretary-712@reddit
I think brother is pretty acceptable, from man to man. There can be some issue when race is involved, but, I don't think it would be if you tone is clear.
Energy_Turtle@reddit
Feels like a very Vermont perspective at least with brother. It's not unusual to run into people from other cultures calling you "brother" or "my brother." I wouldn't think twice if an Indian/Arab/African called me brother. And all that is on top of the Hulk Hogan type "brother" in the social sphere. And even that is in addition to black people using it.
beans8414@reddit
They could probably get away with brother. And the more foreign they look or sound the more leeway they’ll get
Equivalent-Willow179@reddit
If I spoke to someone who was very clearly from another culture and they referred to me that way I'd receive it in the spirit they intended it. But I would never speak to a stranger that way because it's not normal in my culture.
allidyaj@reddit
You seem a little uptight.
NecessaryLight2815@reddit
Ma’am, Sir, are really the only ones I would ever use. And because I’m a mother, if I address a small child I say “sweetie”. Dont recommend guys doing that though.
Country-Unhappy@reddit
Guten tag big dawg
Moss_Green_No21@reddit
Hahahahha where are you from?
Country-Unhappy@reddit
Just a medium funny guy from Midwest USA. I also like to hit people with a tootle-loo kangaroo.
Moss_Green_No21@reddit
So is this something you made up or do people actually say that sometimes? I'm german, I'll def use this.
Country-Unhappy@reddit
I say it 0-3 times a week. I’ve never heard anyone else say it, but it makes me smile.
Moss_Green_No21@reddit
Anyway, thx for the laugh.
MissAnthropic123@reddit
It’s made up, but funny and harmless, so you should definitely do it
dontforgettowriteme@reddit
Well this hit me in the funny bone real good. I'll now have these in my back pocket.
Impressive-Weird-908@reddit
Anyone who’s ordered halal food already knows the brother thing.
PacSan300@reddit
They can also say “Boss”.
MrGumburcules@reddit
I used to go to a cart guy who used "my friend." I liked that
Unlucky-Mongoose-160@reddit
*habibi
NewOrleansLA@reddit
Around here you can call anyone baby and its normal.
PreatzalGamer99@reddit
Personally, I try to use names, or not at all. Otherwise i keep it pretty casual with "Dude"
Remarkable_Being4887@reddit
Well hi-dee-ho there neighborino
goodhumorman85@reddit
I can only speak for white guys of a certain age, I know other communities have other norms.
It’s a bit formal, but sir and mam work with strangers. Though I have found that mam in particular can offend some women who feel it’s a term reserved for old women.
Other things I would only use with acquaintances would be: bud, buddy, dude, lady, friend, man, babe, hun and neighbor. Or if I were being silly with a friend: pal, tiger, scout, cowboy…
PuppySnuggleTime@reddit
In Hawaii, where I live, you can refer to older males as "Uncle" and older females as "Auntie." (You wouldn't call someone younger than you by these names.) You can refer to males and females that are closer to your age or younger than you by brother and sister. However, it's usually pronounced more like "bruddah" and "seestah."
On the mainland, we usually refer to older males as "sir" and older females as "ma'am." In formal instances, you might say the same to younger men and women.
turdferguson3891@reddit
If we're being polite and the person is sufficiently mature the only really universal thing is Sir or Ma'm. But that comes off as pretty formal in many cases.
Status_Agents@reddit
In the US, people don’t usually use relationship based terms like that
It is more about tone than words — a simple hey or excuse me said politely works in most situations
Sir or ma’am can be respectful but casual language is more common overall
gonzagylot00@reddit
You can use Sir and Maam in the United States to show respect, but it’s usually for older people than yourself.
Misterarthuragain@reddit
I was called "brother" and "uncle" when I lived in India. It was very kind. Hardly anyone doe it here in the U.S.
Working-Emergency-34@reddit
Lots of, “Stay safe.” “Drive safe.” And “Have a good one”s.
Consistent_Damage885@reddit
If I were talking to a stranger, usually I would make introductions and then refer to them by their name.
GotchUrarse@reddit
I live in the south, grew up in the north. If I don't know them, it's aways sir or mam, regardless of age. On the off chance I know someone my name, it's Mr. or Miss 'name'.
justalittlelooksy@reddit
If someone here greets people with ‘my friend’ or ‘brother or sister’, I assume they are selling something, scamming, or trying to get me join a religion/cult.
mikeh0677@reddit
All joking aside: “ Hi, how are you?”
SnooSquirrels4991@reddit
Call em big dog.
GimmeShockTreatment@reddit
Getting called big dog or chief hits like crack
spicyredacted@reddit
I get hit with this one at the gas station a lot and I'm like .. are you making fun of me? I am 5'7 and not very big at all.
Incineroarerer@reddit
Valid
StageLeather6157@reddit
Generally speaking in USA "How's it going?" and "How are you?" are not genuine inquiries. They're more like polite greetings. This is especially true if you're passing someone in a hallway. People expect a one sentence reply, as opposed to having a conversation.
Again this is a broad generalization. If you encounter someone you know in say, a grocery store this could be different. The "Hey how are you?" COULD be asked sincerely if you're both shopping and bump into each other.
I think a lot of it is based on whether or not you're working. If we go back to the grocery store example and the it's a cashier/clerk who asks "How's it going?" once again, that's just the employee being polite.
Odd_Obligation_1300@reddit
It depends on the region. You would have to just listen to other people around you to find out.
In my area, you would absolutely not use any of the terms with a stranger. But all you’d have to do is go to a store and listen to the person in front of you.
spicyredacted@reddit
I have noticed dudes are quick to hit each other with with a nickname even if they are stranger. I regularly get hit with man, bro, boss, chief, bruh, and sir.
On the other hand it's a bit disrespectful to call a lady a nickname so casual, so I usually just say ma'am.
I am also from the south so sir and ma'am are considered polite ways to address strangers.
For friendly things to say to strangers I usually use, how's it going, how are ya, good morning, mornin', etc.
Again I am from the deep south so I have noticed it's a lot more common to talk to strangers than in up north.
1Negative_Person@reddit
You can just say “friend”. But if you sound disingenuous, it’s going to rub folks the wrong way.
Classic-Push1323@reddit
I live in the south, which is a region that is stereotype as being more traditional and friendly. “Sir/Ma’am,” is pretty universal here. Other forms of address are also common but generally imply more familiarity so they’re not appropriate in every situation.
This is actually one of the reasons why I think a decline in manners can be a problem. Manners are just social rules that tell you how you’re expected to act in different situations. I don’t think it’s rude to drop more traditional manners, but I think it leaves a lot of people feeling unsure about how to talk to strangers and contributes to social anxiety. It’s nice to have a standardized script that you can fall back on.
PerfectlyCalmDude@reddit
Talking about the weather.
cathemeralcrone@reddit
If you're being polite, you should call a stranger who is older than you ma'am or sir. Unfortunately, not that many people are polite anymore. If the stranger is your age or younger, you can address them as dude, friend, my guy, or, more commonly, just speak without calling them anything at all. "Hi, hows it going?"
sean8877@reddit
Except that there are some women who hate being called ma'am (my wife is one of them). So default to "Miss" or something to avoid offending someone.
poobudman@reddit
Typically you will call a stranger “cuz” or “blood” if they are the same age as you. If they are younger you will call them “young cuz” or “young blood.” Strangers who are older than you can be addressed as “unc” for males, or “auntie” for females.
sean8877@reddit
I live in the suburbs, you will get weird looks using those terms in my neighborhood. People just avoid names/titles usually when greeting a stranger and say something like "hey how's it going?" or some variation of that.
misagale@reddit
Hi, how’s it going?
CaryWhit@reddit
Yep, can be taken as a standard greeting or an invitation to chat.
Be careful with Seniors, because they may actually tell you! :)
RedPanther1@reddit
Or you get my weird ass who will just straight up say "bad".
WowsrsBowsrsTrousrs@reddit
"Don't ask! My back is killing me!"
Anon-John-Silver@reddit
I also actually tell people how I’m doing. If you don’t want to know, don’t ask. Lol
Loisgrand6@reddit
Or a young clerk at a store
Apostate_Mage@reddit
Fine with me lol
shammy_dammy@reddit
I wouldn't want a stranger to call me any of these terms.
Altruistic_Bite_5344@reddit
Where are you from?
6Sunflower_6fields6@reddit
“Ope”
deandinbetween@reddit
This is pretty regional. In the southeast, where I'm from, we're pretty free with terms of endearment. Hon or honey are probably the most common, with darling. sweetheart, sweetie, babe, doll, and even love all also used. There's not a particular affection or level of respect attached to them; they're more to express a generic friendliness and good mood. They're also all gender-neutral.
For more formal/respectful situations, such as addressing someone older or in a position of authority, sir for men and ma'am for women is typical, or sometimes miss instead of ma'am. We'll sometimes use this for even very little kids either jokingly or to emphasize a warning. An example of the jokingly might be a cashier referring to a little boy as "sir" if he's buying something, while an example of the warning emphasis would be a parent saying "no sir" to their son to warn him not to do something.
In other areas, ma'am and sir are considered overly formal or just used for elderly people, and the honey/sweetie/babe is considered too familiar or even condescending.
river-running@reddit
I'm in the South and terms of endearment among strangers, especially between women, are pretty common here. I've been called love, honey, sweetie/sweetheart, baby, sugar, darling; all by people, mostly women, that I was meeting for the first time and may never see again.
Rob_LeMatic@reddit
I'm in nova, and there are people up here who will occupy your same space without even acknowledging that they see you. I remember in North Carolina, the first time a stranger passing me on the street smiled, made sure contact, and said hello my brain shut down for a few seconds. I said hi back after they'd already passed me, like What is happening here???
ClickAndClackTheTap@reddit
The safest way is to call women ‘Miss’ and men ‘Sir’.
WowsrsBowsrsTrousrs@reddit
White people, northeastern US: none of the above. We wouldn't use any family terms with strangers, with the exceptions of two guys roughly the same age might use "bro," and an older person talking to a younger man might use "son" in a few cases - arms full, might say to a stranger "Could you get the door for me, son?" One would need to be careful though, both bro and son could easily come across as aggresive or condescending.
Other parts of the US are generally more relaxed than the northeast, and will have different standards. And I can't speak for groups other than pasty white; I am aware that Black and Latino/Hispanic communities have their own culture but wouldn't attempt to guess at what would be friendly and acceptable.
Terms I would use: Sir, Ma'am, Miss, young man, young lady. Or, more frequently, leave off any form of address, and just start a sentence with hello, hi, or excuse me, depending on the circumstances.
mw13satx@reddit
Sir and ma'am work just fine and indicate more respect than the average American kid usually learns
SweetMamaJean@reddit
Sir, ma’am, friend
LadyWithAHarp@reddit
I would avoid using any familiar terms like "brother", "sister", or "auntie" in the US unless you have an actual relationship with that person. Especially if you are what we as a culture consider "white". There's a lot of reasons for this that will take too long to explain, but it boils down to the history of racism here.
The big exception is if you are black and talking to another black person, as it is a common form of address to eachother.
ITrCool@reddit
Depending on the area/region you're in here, I've actually had some guys call me "brother" like that too.
Like "hey there!" and they say back "hey, what's up, brother?" Doesn't matter about ethnicity or religion.
It's kind of a moniker like "hey sugar!" or "hey honey!" and such. Just another common form of greeting someone.
But it's not common everywhere. You get into a larger city and that isn't really a thing.
TheLeviiathan@reddit
What up blood? What up cuz? What up gangstaaaaa??
captainstormy@reddit
I've only seen people call other people brother, sister, father or mother in some religious communities. That isn't common overall in the US.
Sir and Maam are the typical generic greetings for men and women. As for what to say, keep it generic. Talk about the weather, a recent ball game involving one of the local teams, ask how they are doing today, etc etc.
whatsupgrizzlyadams@reddit
Its different from state to state. Miss or sir said with a smile is accepted most places.
Anon-John-Silver@reddit
If you talked to people this way in the US we’d assume you grew up in a cult.
fighter_pil0t@reddit
This type of grammatical formality does not exist in the English language. Maybe as sir or ma’am if they deserve respect.
KaleidoscopeEyes12@reddit
I would say for older strangers “Sir” for men and “Ma’am” for women (despite the spelling, the pronunciation is just “mam”).
For younger strangers, it gets a little more complicated and can depend on the situation. Usually “Miss” is acceptable for girls and young women. Not totally sure what works for men, but lots of people refer to boys as “Son” or “Bud”.
I’m a woman in my 20’s and I work in a high school. I use “bud” for many of the kids I work with, regardless of gender.
Constellation-88@reddit
Yeah, addressing strangers as family would be considered very weird here and overly familiar. If you are wanting to talk to strangers in a friendly manner, you just use a friendly tone of voice when saying hello. For signs of respect you can use words like sir or ma’am, but I personally don’t like those as those imply, both informality and a hierarchy.
General_Reading_798@reddit
I would stay polite and formal. It is too easy for this to be taken as disrespectful or inappropriately familiar. Please and thank you but no use of things like sweetheart, darling, captain, dude...
CoolAbdul@reddit
Nice shirt!
Bluemonogi@reddit
Sometimes people will call a stranger brother or sister. Sister was used as slang for a woman in 1920’s gangster slang along will doll, dame or broad. It is not always respectful to call someone a familiar or slang term. It is less common to call someone you don’t have a relationship with mother, father, uncle, aunt. Calling someone older grandad or granny might seem like you are sneering at them.
Some people use terms of endearment with strangers like sweetie, honey, darling… like maybe an older woman or man. It can come off as condescending at times. When I was working in a job handling customers and an older man said , “look, honey…” to start explaining why he should get some special treatment it was condescending.
ocvagabond@reddit
We are not even close to one people. There is no national way to do this. Just don’t use titles or honorifics or pronouns. Just say what you want to say. It is not rude. Perhaps that’s the only national standard, it isn’t rude to not use titles or honorifics but it can be rude to use them incorrectly.
This is also very cultural. So if you do strike up a conversation with a stranger, this would be an interesting non personal beyond the normal small talk bs that IMO most people would be open to discussing and probably get a kick out of learning about a different culture.
Go in peace, brother!
MC_Gusto69@reddit
Hi
VulKendov@reddit
You can address than as sir for a man or boy, or ma'am for a woman or girl.
throw_every_away@reddit
Now I’m imagining how Latin folks would respond if I went around calling men “papi”
Ghoulish_kitten@reddit
Just be yourself.
Many people here have recently immigrated and you will not feel alone. Im used to being referred to in many different cultural ways and labels. It’s really not an issue.
Patrickosplayhouse@reddit
"My friend". Or "friend".
Excuse me, friend... Sir or ma'am if they're noticeably older than you.
Brother and sister... you can get away with that likely, as you will obviously be a visitor, here. Shouldnt get much negative feedback.
Metal_Rider@reddit
When someone says “friend” to me, I immediately assume the religion is coming soon
Patrickosplayhouse@reddit
Damn. You're not wrong. Does sound a bit "used car lot".
Sibby_in_May@reddit
Howdy, neighbor!
Comedeorologist@reddit
I'm a POC, and if any non-black person called me "brother" I would be a little weirded out. Less weirded out if it were a black person. But still weirded out.
MissAnthropic123@reddit
“Hi, how are you?” “Hi, how you doing?”
Make a comment about the weather
If you’re in an elevator and someone gets on, it’s polite to ask “which floor?” And press the button for their stop.
“Have a nice day” or “Have a good one” as a goodbye.
IrateMormon@reddit
Brother, can you spare a dime?
KalatasXValatos@reddit
Dude is for everyone or dudete for the ladies if needed.
Thefutureisbrightino@reddit
Hey!! I’m walkin here?
Tova42@reddit
We typically just do a head nod
Loisgrand6@reddit
Brother/sister/ma’am/sir can get some Americans steamed up
broadsharp@reddit
Good morning
AuntieCampaign@reddit
In the U.S. calling a stranger brother or sister will make people assume that you’re on a religious mission. If you’d like to express respect, the equivalent terms are sir or ma’am. The complicated part is that these terms are obligatory in some parts of the South (especially if you’re young), recommended but not obligatory in all parts of the South, accepted and admired in most areas that border the South, and seen as a bit odd in the Pacific Northwest unless you’re a very young adult, working a service job, or being arrested.
Many non-white women here will understand “auntie” from a stranger or acquaintance to mean “hi older woman who seems responsible, I may need some help.” And white women who have Asian, SE Asian, and Middle Eastern friends will understand it that way too. 🙋♀️
I havent heard uncle used the same way, and it seems to be reserved for closer relationships.
Do not call anyone Papi here unless they’re your actual father, or your male lover.
MISProf@reddit
Morning, sir.
Rock-Wall-999@reddit
Whassup!
CommanderKrieger@reddit
Smile and say hello or hi. Continue with conversation, but refrain from brother, sister, father, mother. Sir or ma’am works well for respect, but be wary as some folks may not take as kindly to it with the amount of different genders there are that people identify as these days.
DharmaCub@reddit
Bro, Boss, Chief, Jefe, Dude, My Guy,
drnewcomb@reddit
In my part of the USA it is very common to address strangers as, honey, darling or babe. In many places this is considered very rude.
Other than, "Good morning/afternoon", you have to be aware of local customs.
Nodeal_reddit@reddit
Hi?
plated_lead@reddit
Brother and sister here will make you sound like either a religious weirdo or Hulk Hogan
OkPickle2474@reddit
Here it depends on the region, and the age and gender of both people.
Terms of endearment (honey, sweetie, etc.) are more commonly heard from women or older people to younger people in the south. More casual language (dude, bros, guys) is acceptable on the west coast. East coasters might not want anything extra or any greeting at all, just get to the point. Generally speaking, “miss” or “ma’am” or “sir” are going to be seen as fine and respectful all over.
Immediate_Bite_4265@reddit
Have a good one!
-Boston-Terrier-@reddit
“Hey, lady! Do you want to touch my hog?”.
This only works if you’re walking a cute little pot belly pig on a leash though.
JulesInIllinois@reddit
I know exactly what OP is talking about as they do that in Turkey, too.
No. We don't do that here in the US. We don't call people family names unless they actually are a brother, sister, etc. I have a friend who likes his child to call me "aunt" which is a bit weird because we are not related. But, some cultures here or really old friends will do that.
We just ask "how are you doing today" or "how is it going?"
ColumbiaWahoo@reddit
“Oh my god your puppy is so cute! Can I pet him?”
Excellent-Silver-384@reddit
Black ppl kinda do this. Ppl often refer to their mother or female guardian as “ma dukes.” Ex: “Gotta ask ma dukes if I can stay the night.” We sometimes call older ppl who we aren’t related to unc or auntie. But not as often or universally as ur talking about, it’s usually only used amongst other black ppl.
whatifweplayindirt@reddit
Less familial terms, but we do use man, boss, dude, girl, girl, honey, etc. region and situation specific!!! These are not all-purpose. That said, if someone has an accent or is visibly from another place, I have come to expect slightly different greetings and that's a cool thing about mixing cultures! I rarely get called Sister but I know my husband gets Brother a lot. If you're really worried, sir and ma'am are the most all-purpose, generally always considered polite for strangers (maybe overly so in some cases). Ex: "how are you today, sir?" "Thanks for stopping by, ma'am!" It has more to do with when you use different levels of familiarity than the specific terms of endearment, I feel. So like the earlier terms I listed I would tend to use with customers in a grocery store ("thanks, dude" to the cashier who is my age/peer) but if I was in a fancy restaurant I would stick to sir or ma'am. (Note that I have spelled ma'am the correct way, it is often misspelled, but just pronounced mam, like lamb) Hopefully some this was helpful and not too much!
whatifweplayindirt@reddit
Also a lot of people are trying to move away from Sir and Ma'am because it does require assigning a gender to someone on the fly, so I will also say that a polite and friendly tone, saying something at all (small talk or literally just a greeting), is plenty to be perceived as kind/pleasant.
5hallowbutdeep@reddit
Anybody got a light?
Danibear285@reddit
Don’t call me brother.
BlackSwanMarmot@reddit
“We were hoping you could come with us. Our people have no commander.”
cthulhu944@reddit
I was raised in Texas. I address strangers as Sir or Ma'am and to a young girl as Miss. These titles are used as a sign of respect versus "Hey, you". Is you need to ask a person for directions you would say "excuse me Sir, but where is..."
cjdstreet@reddit
Whats up my n word
carmineragu@reddit
Sir or Ma’am if they’re older than you. For men, you can say “what’s up , man?
DjAlphaRED5@reddit
Hello, how are you? Here is a 15% tip! This is really good weather today.
Ozymannoches@reddit
It depends on the situation. Ain't that right, chief
Mumchkin@reddit
Hi, how are you? And in response, Good or Fine works.
Remarkable_Table_279@reddit
If you’re in the south (maybe other areas) sir and ma’am are appropriate titles. Excuse me sir you dropped something.
If you know names and they’re much older than you, you can add mr/miss/mrs/ms. - oddly miss in parts of the south can be applied to any older woman with their first name. My mom has been Miss Susie (not her name…she doesn’t have a bell) since at least the 80s.
Do not use family titles with anyone who isn’t your family or you have a close relationship with. Unless you’re in some churches where brother and sister are ok.
Krylvus@reddit
Would you like to see my sock collection? Just kidding don't say that.
Gloomy-Parsley-3317@reddit
Talking to a man (depending on the region) you could say: man, dude, bro/brother, boss, partner, sir.
In some regions you could also say pal, bud, or buddy, but some people might find this patronizing (like you're talking down to them) so use your best judgement.
Talking to a woman, you could say: Ma'am, dude (depending on the region), partner.
Ma'am might be insulting if the woman is obviously young or younger than you, so again use your best judgement.
GSilky@reddit
Howdy y'all!
trynworkharder@reddit
Nice bum where ya from?
Neuroware@reddit
some weather we're having, huh?
mdavis360@reddit
“Hello, Americans! Enjoy that wine! HEY, THERE YOU ARE!!”
”Well, Hi do I know you?”
“No, but that’s where you are!! Viva Las Vegas, Baby!!”
thingsbetw1xt@reddit
"Hi/hey, how's it going? "How are you?"
Unless you are actually in a formal setting where there's a clear hierarchy between you and the other person (in the workplace, for example) Americans are pretty informal even with strangers.
Prestigious-Comb4280@reddit
As you can see the regions of this country vary greatly. We are friendly but tend to not be that friendly except in the south. I wouldn't address them that way. Hello, how are you? It's the most gender neutral and way to start a communication here without knowing specifics of the area of the country.
Apostate_Mage@reddit
Honestly just full on conversations. Whenever I travel internationally I feel so lonely because strangers aren’t at all chatty and treat me weird for being chatty
Maronita2025@reddit
Just say “hi” or “hello” or “How are you”!
NOTE- Questions like “How are you” are NOT meant to be answered in other than “Good and you”
Apostate_Mage@reddit
Depends, if it’s friends or acquaintances asking you can absolutely give detailed answers.
And honestly I feel like when I ask a stranger “how are you” if they answer, “hanging in there” or “been better” that’s still okay
JadziaEzri81@reddit
OP, this is going to vary greatly across so many things. Regions, race, ethnicity, you name it. Some people like to be addressed as "x", some people hate it. Some people like to be addressed as "y" and some people hate it..
SabresBills69@reddit
“ who’s your daddy” might be said.
father if not your dad/ step dad is only used to address a church leader
brother not s much, but bro can be used for close group of friends. A slang is “brother of another mother”. Brother also is used in the church
in the military sir/ ma’am is used. many non military people may use this as well out of respect if you don’t know them like “ sir, you just dropped that?”
PinkNinjaKitty@reddit
There are a few region-specific terms of address, as this comment section shows, but overall in the U.S., there is no equivalent to respectfully calling strangers family members. You just say a variation of “Hi” and let the respect show in your voice and manner if that’s what you intend to convey.
If you want to bring up regional terms, I’m in the south and you use “sir” for men older than you and “ma’m” for women older than you. You can also use “sir” for men and boys younger than you if needed, but I haven’t heard that often. I don’t think I’ve heard this lately, either, but there’s also “miss” for women younger than you. It’s important to emphasize that these are regional terms, because in other parts of the country people are actively offended if you use these words.
Dapper_Buffalo_7843@reddit
I used to say buddy (rural south) then some rich kid from Miami thought I was mocking him lol
Greedy_Pomegranate14@reddit
Brother, bro, pal, buddy(sometimes doesn’t go over well), man, dude, sir, ma’am, miss, girl (only female to female or gay dudes). Bro and dude work with both genders if the relationship is platonic or strangers, but if you’re trying to seduce a girl don’t call her bro.
Hi_Im_Paul1706@reddit
How are ya now? Notso bad
Ell15@reddit
General greetings: “good morning”, “happy Friday”, or the more common nod of acknowledgment
Since I worked brutal customer service jobs for many years I tend to tell cashiers and service staff “I hope the rest of your shift goes quickly and without incident!” I am weird though so maybe not great advice.
TsundereLoliDragon@reddit
Hey cuz.
Appalachian_Aioli@reddit
Cha brah
Crazy-Squash9008@reddit
To your point, I grew up in rural northern Appalachia. It is not uncommon at all to call any old man "Pap" which is what we call our grandfathers.
AhSoulsOnFire@reddit
My personal favorite is “well hey ____, how the hell are ya!?” With the overly aggressive handshake.
Live-Flower9917@reddit
Friend and bud.