I'm not your buddy!

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I hear the word buddy more and more. It is an informal American term for a friend that has become widely used in British English. I wouldn't mind so much if we didn't have slang terms for friends already. Mate seems to have been overtaken by buddy.

People sometimes use buddy when talking to complete strangers so it can sound insincere and perhaps patronising.

            (in the gym)

          - Hey buddy! How many sets do you have left?

          - I've just started but we can take turns if you like. 

             (in the pub)

          - Hi there! Can I have two pints of lager please?

          - Sure buddy. That'll be £8.50.

          - How ya doin', bud? Not seen you in ages.

Mate is the UK equivalent of buddy and it is still very common to hear. It'd be most likely translated as colega though sometimes as tío and tronco, depending on how it's being used.

          - My mates are coming over tonight to watch the football.

          - Alright mate? How's things?

          - Cheers, mate! I really appreciate your help.

-mate is a person (compañero) with whom you share something:

• a flatmate (UK) / a housemate 
• a classmate 
• a teammate 
• a workmate (= a colleague)

Pal is another informal term for friend which is used in both US and UK English.

          - We were best pals at school.

          - They are good pals. They see each other most weekends.

          - Listen, pal. Don't use that tone of voice with me.

A colleague is a person you work with - you can be friends with them or not. A co-worker is the preferred term in US English.

          - I get on with most of my colleagues.

          - Many people end up marrying a co-worker. 

          - He'll see his workmates socially now and again.

Answer some of the following questions:

1. What activities do you and your buddies enjoy together?
2. What qualities make someone a good buddy?
3. Who is your best mate?
4. Have you made any new mates recently?
5. Do you still keep in touch with any childhood pals?
6. Can work colleagues become good pals?
7. Have you ever lived with a flatmate? What was it like?
8. Do you still talk to any of your former classmates?
9. What qualities do you appreciate in a workmate?
10. Do you socialise with your colleagues after work?
11. Have you ever worked closely with colleagues from other countries?
12. How well do you know your co-workers?