topic Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend" in Community Chat

People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:03:12 GMT

Does it sound disingenuous to you when someone addresses everyone they speak to as "My friend" Neal Cavuto on Fox and Fox Business does it all the time on his shows. The late senator John McCain did it as well. I've heard a few QVC hosts do this too, and it really irritates me. Maybe it's just a tic. It sounds as bad as someone saying "Doll" or "Sweetie" but no one would do that on TV. It seems fake and patronizing to me.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Sooner — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:06:36 GMT

@PA Mom-mom I don't see it as a real fault. Why not? Would you rather call them "my enemy?" How about "friend" until proven otherwise. Wouldn't that be nice?

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:12:23 GMT

@Sooner No, it isn't a choice between calling everyone my friend or my enemy. It just seems fake to me. The term friend has a different connotation to me.

ETA: I can see your point, however. The Quakers address everyone as Friend.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

lgfan — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:12:51 GMT

Usually when someone calls me my friend they want me to do a favor for them.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Mersha — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:15:13 GMT

@lgfan wrote:
Usually when someone calls me my friend they want me to do a favor for them.

@lgfan Agree...or buy something from them.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

CelticCrafter — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:22:20 GMT

My mother-in-law does it.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Bookplate — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:25:39 GMT

I know a couple of people who do this. While I don't particularly like it, I have become accustomed to it as a sort of speech tic.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

KBEANS — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:30:41 GMT

I am guilty of this; but I don't feel guilty about doing it. I don't think it sound disingenuous unless it's said like... "Listen here friend."

Say the guy at the gas station helps me pump gas, or cleans the windshield; I may say "Thank you my friend." I like it better then sir. Not so formal.

Although he may not be my friend in reality; he has acted in a friendly manner and in that moment he's seen as a friend to me.

Someone drops their wallet unknowingly; I might say " My friend, you dropped something." Instead of calling out

Honey, Sir, Miss, Mack, Buddy, Young lady, guy...YO! or HEY YOU! 😝

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:40:44 GMT

@KBEANS wrote:
I am guilty of this; but I don't feel guilty about doing it. I don't think it sound disingenuous unless it's said like... "Listen here friend."

@KBEANS I guess it's like the line from "The Virginian" "When you call me that, smile."

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

KBEANS — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:42:15 GMT

@PA Mom-mom Good one "My friend!" 😊

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

santorini — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:47:03 GMT

The first host I heard that from was Mary D. and it was with a celebrity (can't remember who, though). When she said it like that several times, it came across as her wanting the audience to know that she was buddies with a celebrity. I only say that to my real friends.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Caaareful Shopper — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:51:28 GMT

It's a common tactic used to draw people in, whether it's an ideology or sales.

Scott Grimes from Jai Jewelry says it all the time, in every show.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

on the bay — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:01:30 GMT

I like how the British say "love"-Let me help you love.

Or how on the Eastern Shore, Baltimore and other places say "Hon"-there is nothing better because even though strangers they usually mean it.

Once in a town in VA visiting a college, at the grocery store and everywhere they asked-"how you doin hon?" And then they waited until you told them how you were doing!!

Amazing. They really were asking and wanted to know.

But yeah sometimes it just becomes a mindless automatic habit. Maybe they like the sound of themselves saying my friend or something😬

The one I don't like for no defineable reason is "enjoy"! It's become such a used ending when someone presents something. I know people just mean it to be nice but I always feel like I'll enjoy it if I feel like it lol! It brings out my rebellious streak for some absurd reason.

The only time this doesn't bother me is when a chef or waiter brings a plate to the table and says "enjoy."

It is nice to talk about our pet peeves. I know some hate "honey" but I like it.😊

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:06:37 GMT

@on the bay I've watched many episodes of "Vera," from British TV. She's a tough cop, but she calls everyone Luv. The first time I heard it, I thought, What?? But, now it seems like she's just trying to get people to open up to her.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Carmie — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:13:42 GMT

No, it doesn't bother me one bit. I have never even thought about it.

I have heard people call others horrible things.....friend is not one of them.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

on the bay — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:14:10 GMT

I like being called luv, hon, many things except ma'am. A young man called me that when I was about 30 or 40 and I thought wait, when did I become a ma'am?! It made me feel so old.(not that aging is a bad thing just I didn't feel "old" at 30 something!) Course he probably meant it as respect, anyone older than he, but I thought in a few years he will be "old" too.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

chrystaltree — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:17:19 GMT

I don't have a problem with it. No one takes it literally.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

fthunt — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:21:56 GMT

Yes - drives me nuts. Mary D - QVC - really overworks it........

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

ellaphant — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:22:16 GMT

That doesn't bother me. JT with her I love your and hugging and on the verge of tears is annoying. She wants to be liked so desperately.

Re: People Who Call Everyone "My Friend"

Rockycoast — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 23:27:58 GMT

No, it does not bother me, seem disingenuous at all. It is just another term of politeness, endearment. Not meant in a bad way so I don't take it as such.