How are ya - MATE !

[mongo]

In line with Mongo’s usual irreverent attitude, he is going to start by insulting all of you by calling you MATE ! If it were illegal , you can arrest Mongo now !


Could not help but chuckle at the absurd decision by the health industry in recently to ban the term “MATE” , sweetie, darls etc in their workplace. The latter terms, Mongo can understand to a point but he knows they are used with great effect and comfort by staff in the children's’ sections and with elderly patience of many health institutions.


Is there something sick in the health industry ??


Now, as to the use of the term “MATE”, if that were to be take out of the Australian language and you will wipe out 30% of the vocabulary of most Australians !! OK, you correct Mongo and say the issue is whether or not it should be permitted in the work place as distinct from general conversation outside the work place. Mongo says True. However, is it really an “offensive” term in a work place context whether used between work colleagues or with customers ??


Offense is often a matter of context. Mongo has heard this term used in an aggressive offensive contest. However, there was no doubt in those cases it was intended to be. It would be extraordinary to misinterpret this term in almost all situations because the way the terms is used will virtually always tell you if it is intended to be friendly and colloquial or , in the rare cases, something more than that. If this is the case, why pick on the word “MATE” ?? - you may as well add dozens of other words that are used in much the same way.


Have we all gone politically straight to the point of stupidity ???


Mongo is going to cop it on this one............but he's got tough fur...