Is It Ganerally OK For A Guy To Call A Girl "Mate"?

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Guys say it to other guys a lot, but was wondering if it's OK for a guy to call a girl that? I don't see a problem with it, just weird because I've never hear d a guy call a girl that before.

I think it's not appropriate.

"Mate" seems to be a term used exclusively for males.
You wouldn't usually call a woman "sir", would you?

I dunno, we don't really say mate her but I'll call a chick dude which is pretty much the same. Everybody is a dude, I've made the mistake of saying 'man' to a woman too, just the way I grew up talking.

I'm in America--so people don't generally call each other "mate."

If a woman is hanging out in mixed company, she might be included in the phrase "you guys." But a woman is never called a "guy" individually.

I would never call a chick a "dude."

If they're an acquaintence or stranger then no, if they actually are a mate of your's i would think it would be ok.

In the UK yes, it's not done a lot but I've heard it. Among Brits, "mate" is just a term like the American "buddy," or "dude" -- and yes, I've heard some Americans say "dude" to a girl! It happened to me! And I didn't mind at all, it actually made me feel included. The guy who said it to me was a kind of alternative-culture musician guy who used "dude" a lot generally, and I said something in the conversation that he agreed with and he responded "Dude! I so totally agree because...." etc etc.

Then he stopped and said "Oh god I just called you dude, was that offensive?" I just laughed and said no way, I feel like one of you guys now!

In that context, things like "dude" aren't even necessarily gender specific anymore, and have almost become merely an exclamation now, like starting with "Man!" "Man, I so agree, that was the worst!"

Same with the British "mate." It's passed into a general term. I'm sure I've heard even a female call another female mate. "You're going be all right, mate." Totally normal. I think "mate" is even less male oriented than dude, in many ways.

If a guy calls a girl "mate" I take that as friendly and inclusive and like a platonic acknowledgment.

Even if a stranger I think it's fine. Passing in the street: bump into someone, a quick "Sorry!" Response a rapid "No worries mate." Even if a woman. I've seen, heard it and it's not a problem.

If you have any romantic interest in her, don't say it (even if she's not reciprocating at the moment). If she has any romantic interest in you, don't say it because she might feel hurt (even if she knows you're not interested).
If both of you are absolutely, purely platonic then I'd say it's fine. She might even take it as a compliment, as proof that you see her as a "regular" friend and don't put her in a separate category just because of her gender.

I've been called 'mate' by some guys, and I personally liked it. To me it felt including.

I've also come across the occasional girl who referred to female friends as mates. I don't see anything wrong with that. It's just like how the term guys can be used for any group of people, including all-girls groups.

related anecdote: At my college, it was common for women to call each other "chica" and "chick". Usually "chica" was what you called your friend, while "chick" was used to talk about someone who annoyed you. I have since had many people express surprise that a woman would say "chick", and I've decreased usage.

I wouldn't do so; mainly becouse 'mate' has different meanings depending on the genders involved:

Male-Male: it means so much as 'friend', in the same leage as 'bro'.
Female-Female: not really used, if someone uses it, see Male-Male

Male-Female (and reversed): here, as with animals, a 'mate' is considered the person you 'mate' with a.k.a. your (current) sexual partner...

I guess I'm a little "behind the times" then.

I'd still feel funny calling a woman a "dude," or a "mate."

When I was growing up, "dude" was more of an African-American term for guy.

I guess to be on the safe side, I'll just reserve it for friends and guys.

I accidentally called one of my female friends mate, and she was fine with it. I guess it depends on the person and how well you know them.

It's interesting, this.
Generally I interpret someone else calling me mate to mean that they have read me as male. Their behaviour usually backs this up further. However I've observed this is different not only in terms of gender but also in terms of locale. In rural areas, women will tend to call everybody mate and will be so called in turn. In urban areas, not so much. I'll generally call guys mate and use it in a masculine way, but have called women (usually only those I'm very familiar with) "dude" as well so I guess it's changeable with the context.

Some people have mentioned that "mate" can refer to a sexual partner, and is therefore awkward to say to a female friend. Wouldn't that mean only gay men should say it to each other, though?
It's more accurate to view the word as a shortening of words like "classmate", "roommate", or teammate". That's the intended meaning in the OP's usage.

When used collectively, or in mixed company, calling women "dudes", "guys", or "mates" is common.

Appropriate? Who decides?

The authority who decides is your specific social environment.

That said, it is my understanding that in the US, the word "dude" (the equivalent to "mate") is used for both men and women, infers friendship between those people and can mean that you are in the friend zone if a person you're interested in calls you that. I think that goes both ways- I don't think a woman is supposed to call a man dude if she's interested in him.