Aussies not allowed to say 'mate' ?!

Cloudbringer · 08-19-2005, 01:55 PM

This one was in the realm of 'strange news' today! What do you natives of Oz think of it?

__________________________________________________ ____________________
Associated Press
Last updated Thursday, August 18, 2005
Australian PM: Ban on word 'mate' absurd
CANBERRA, Australia -- No way, mate! Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Friday said it was "absurd" to require security guards at the country's Parliament House to stop addressing visitors and lawmakers as "mate" and one of his predecessors called it rampant pomposity.

The ban was imposed this week among guards and attendants at the building in Canberra, Australian media reported.

"These things are all a matter of context, and that's why it's impractical and absurd to try and ban something," Howard, who in the past has used the term to describe President George W. Bush, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

"There are circumstances where a more formal address is appropriate," he said. "But in the same conversation you might start off calling somebody you've just met 'sir' or 'madam,' but as you become more familiar with your conversation and your exchange, you might end up saying 'mate.'"

Hilary Penfold, secretary for the Department of Parliamentary Services, said the ban was intended to ensure staff do not offend visitors.

But Howard said it was not necessary and even he often uses the term of endearment with people he barely knows.

"People will ring me up and I might start off saying `yes sir' as a matter of courtesy, which I normally do, and then we lapse into it, we might say 'mate'."

Former Labor Party prime minister Bob Hawke was enraged by the ban

"It's pomposity gone mad," Hawke told ABC radio.

Hawke a former union leader famous for his down to earth approach and for holding a beer drinking record while studying at Oxford University, said the term had been useful to him at official functions.

"It gets you out of all sorts of embarrassing situations," he said. "It's got a nice neutrality about it. I mean, it doesn't imply any intimacy, it shows a reasonable level of respect. I think it's one of our great words."

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 08-19-2005, 01:59 PM

Rampant pomposity... I think that's the perfect way to describe it.

Vaskez · 08-19-2005, 02:37 PM

LMAO! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Arvon · 08-19-2005, 04:30 PM

I guess the Aussies have nothing more to worry about. I always thought that built in an Aussie when born.

Cloudbringer · 08-19-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Illumina Drathiran'ar:
Rampant pomposity... I think that's the perfect way to describe it.

I rather liked that line too!

shadowhound · 08-19-2005, 09:33 PM

Pure crap if you ask me, I mean its taking a part of Australia from us. I have been using the word mate since I was *cough cough* "knee high to a grasshopper" and I think these people have been too. It wont stick I tell ya [img]tongue.gif[/img]

T-D-C · 08-19-2005, 10:08 PM

Well it was overturned 3 hours later. Just PC going overboard.

Memnoch · 08-20-2005, 02:07 AM

What a load of absolute rubbish. As if anyone was actually going to follow that directive - Ozzies have a nasty habit of choosing not to obey edicts they don't like. Just ask the Pommies.

Cloudbringer · 08-20-2005, 02:14 AM

ROTFL! Rescinded it, did they? Well, I can't say it surprises me! Silly thing to begin with! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

burnzey boi · 08-20-2005, 06:36 AM

so is mate now referred as a swear?! now that is some crazy ...

08-19-2005, 01:55 PM	#1
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	This one was in the realm of 'strange news' today! What do you natives of Oz think of it? __________________________________________________ ____________________ Associated Press Last updated Thursday, August 18, 2005 Australian PM: Ban on word 'mate' absurd CANBERRA, Australia -- No way, mate! Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Friday said it was "absurd" to require security guards at the country's Parliament House to stop addressing visitors and lawmakers as "mate" and one of his predecessors called it rampant pomposity. The ban was imposed this week among guards and attendants at the building in Canberra, Australian media reported. "These things are all a matter of context, and that's why it's impractical and absurd to try and ban something," Howard, who in the past has used the term to describe President George W. Bush, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio. "There are circumstances where a more formal address is appropriate," he said. "But in the same conversation you might start off calling somebody you've just met 'sir' or 'madam,' but as you become more familiar with your conversation and your exchange, you might end up saying 'mate.'" Hilary Penfold, secretary for the Department of Parliamentary Services, said the ban was intended to ensure staff do not offend visitors. But Howard said it was not necessary and even he often uses the term of endearment with people he barely knows. "People will ring me up and I might start off saying `yes sir' as a matter of courtesy, which I normally do, and then we lapse into it, we might say 'mate'." Former Labor Party prime minister Bob Hawke was enraged by the ban "It's pomposity gone mad," Hawke told ABC radio. Hawke a former union leader famous for his down to earth approach and for holding a beer drinking record while studying at Oxford University, said the term had been useful to him at official functions. "It gets you out of all sorts of embarrassing situations," he said. "It's got a nice neutrality about it. I mean, it doesn't imply any intimacy, it shows a reasonable level of respect. I think it's one of our great words." __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

08-19-2005, 01:59 PM	#2
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 38 Posts: 4,673	Rampant pomposity... I think that's the perfect way to describe it. __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

08-19-2005, 02:37 PM	#3
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	LMAO! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-19-2005, 04:30 PM	#4
Arvon Unicorn Join Date: October 4, 2001 Location: Kingdom of the West,..P.o. Cynagus Posts: 4,212	I guess the Aussies have nothing more to worry about. I always thought that built in an Aussie when born. __________________ 53.7% of all statistics are made up

08-19-2005, 09:33 PM	#6
shadowhound Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Australia Age: 37 Posts: 3,281	Pure crap if you ask me, I mean its taking a part of Australia from us. I have been using the word mate since I was cough cough "knee high to a grasshopper" and I think these people have been too. It wont stick I tell ya [img]tongue.gif[/img] __________________ Carpe Noctem: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh cthulhu r’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.

08-19-2005, 10:08 PM	#7
T-D-C Ironworks Moderator Join Date: October 26, 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 43 Posts: 4,415	Well it was overturned 3 hours later. Just PC going overboard. __________________

08-20-2005, 02:07 AM	#8
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	What a load of absolute rubbish. As if anyone was actually going to follow that directive - Ozzies have a nasty habit of choosing not to obey edicts they don't like. Just ask the Pommies. __________________

08-20-2005, 02:14 AM	#9
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	ROTFL! Rescinded it, did they? Well, I can't say it surprises me! Silly thing to begin with! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

08-20-2005, 06:36 AM	#10
burnzey boi Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: September 14, 2004 Location: Western Australia Age: 33 Posts: 800	so is mate now referred as a swear?! now that is some crazy ... __________________ burnzey - The Australian kiss, like a French kiss, but down under (Main)Undead Mage - 70, Orc Warrior - 70, Blood Elf Paladin - 70, Orc Shaman - 70, Troll Rogue - 70, Orc Hunter - 65, UD Warlock 61, BE Priest 60, Tauren Drood - 60 OM NOM NOM NOM

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