Mike? My name isn't Mike!!! Why do you call me that?
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
October 22, 2011 6:47pm CST
Today I went to Trader Joe's and just happened not to be able to avoid my least favorite checkers. Why is he my least favorite? Because he calls me and everyone else "Mike." He's from Down Under and I guess it's a custom there to call people Mike. Why? I don't know. Can anyone explain how this got started? Do those from Australia call everyone Mike? Or just people whose names they don't know?
No matter how it got started, I find it annoying. I have a name. If you don't know it, don't call me something else instead. Maybe this got started because Aussies were notoriously bad at remembering names. Do you think? So let's say an Aussie meets one of his acquaintances (whose name he doesn't remember), he says, "Hi, Mike" and starts talking. While they are talking, another one joins them who doesn't know the first one. So when our Aussie has to introduce them, does he say, "Mike, I want you to meet Mike."?
Seriously, how did this "Mike" thing get started?
Seriously, how did this "Mike" thing get started?9 people like this
27 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
23 Oct 11
He is probably saying Mate and with an Australian (or English) accent it would be quite easy to think he is saying Mike. In Scotland we call everyone we do not know "Jock". IN England it is Mate or Matey.
I total dislike it in the USA when some one call me "Dude"....grrr!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Someone did that to me the other day. I cannot remember who it was, though, so I cannot avoid them. Oh, hubby just reminded me. . . the Red Cross Nurse, who may be twenty, if she is a day, kept calling me sweety. It made me think that she considered me a doddering old lady. I hated it when nurse aids called all the residents "sweeties"
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Hatley I agree with every word you said. It really irks be when with my silver hair and 72 years on my shoulders some young twerp calls me sweetie.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I wonder how that "sweetie" and "dear" thing got started. I remember my mom complaining about it when she couldn't have been more than 35. It really used to annoy her, and now it annoys me because there are people in stores who do it to me. I wonder if they call the men by similar names.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
23 Oct 11
He's probably saying "Mate" but with his accent it comes out sounding Mike. My boyfriend works at Outback and if I call the restaurant I first get a recording of a guy with a thick Australian accent and he says mate. Sometimes with a heavy Australian accent mate could end up sounding a bit like Mike. That's the only thing I can think of because I know Australians use mate a lot..I've never heard of them using Mike.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
23 Oct 11
I hear the Outback commercials on TV and that is what I thought of as well. Mate, said like Mike. Still, She has a name, or could even be called Ma'am for a term of respect.
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Lol if you ever want to hear the recording you can go to the website and just find a random location. The phone won't ring straight away, it goes to the recording first and you can just listen to his voice.
But in Australia, saying "Mate" or "sheila" to someone is the same as how we say guy and lady. If he really was saying MIke, then that would be very annoying. But he's really just using a different dialect and he has different words that mean the same thing as ours.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I don't think we have an Outback here, or I'd call to try to hear that recording. Isn't it strange how something like this can bug me? It's really a small thing, yet it grates on me. Maybe I won't take it that way anymore.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Lol I think I've heard that before but I have no idea where it would have start it. Maybe it's their way of calling someone a generic name like we would say Dude or Bud. Is he saying Mike or Mate? I've heard of people from Australia saying Mate.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I'm sure glad I have you all to set me straight when I don't understand. Maybe I won't get as angry now -- unless he puts my milk in the bag sideways. Is that also common in Australia?
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
It's not just what he calls me, but he also has a pained look. Maybe that's because I asked him to put the milk right side up. When I don't, he puts it on its side and it leaks. He's the only one who packs milk that way -- another reason I try to avoid him.
1 person likes this
@capirani (2817)
• United States
24 Oct 11
I am also thinking maybe he is saying "mate" and with his accent it might sound like "Mike". But since I am not there, I wouldn't know. But saying "mate" is like saying "friend" so it would not be a bad thing. Have you ever just asked him?
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Australasian's call people MATE at lot. Are you sure that is not what he was saying?
According to Wikitionary.com
mate – a friend. A term that is used affectionately to address friends and acquaintances ("How's it going, mate?"), to address strangers or people whose names are not known ("Excuse me, mate..."), and extravagant pleasure at seeing someone (Mate! It's beaut to see yer again!"). Also used as a noun ("He's a good mate"). Sometimes deliberately used as an expression of aggression or threat (hostile over-familiarity) directed towards a hostile or indifferent stranger (the tone of voice and context will make this usage very clear; there is no danger of confusion). The term is also common in British English in all these respects.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I think affection is uncalled for here. He doesn't smile when he says it. Not exactly aggressive, but not exactly friendly, either. Oh, well. I don't get in his line unless I can't help it. Thanks for sharing this.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
23 Oct 11
You're lucky someone is calling you a decent name. I have a friend who was being called Tar. LOL His name isn't even close to Tar. I don't even think Tar is a name of a human. LOL
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
That's a new one. Maybe we should brainstorm and figure out what "tar" might be instead of how it sounds.
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Are you sure he is saying "Mike" ? Could it be he is saying "Mate" with that accent that sounds like "Mite" or "Myite"? Other than that annoying habit, is he a good checker? How about you just call him by his name and say, My name is "whatever", so perhaps he will remember you.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
Good suggestion. He probably doesn't know my name, since I always pay by cash instead of check or charge. But I still don't like his line because I don't like to have to remember to remind someone to put the milk in right side up.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Aha, so he is not a particularly good checker either. It doubles the frustration.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
23 Oct 11
I have no idea, but I do have a theory that it was a substitute for Mate. That is what many Australians call their friends. Anyway I am not good at remembering names. Have to have the person over to my house every times or they have to have the same name of one of my relatives. for the name to get permanently in my head. Maybe if he felt you would be offended if he called you Ma'am.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I wouldn't be offended by "ma'am," but since I've been raised in California, I was never taught to use it, as they are taught in the South. For some reason it used to offend my mom, but I suspect she associated it with certain of my dad's Texas friends whom she did not like. The truth is, I don't think Californians have specific terms for these situations. I think we are always in a hurry and just say please and thank you, without adding any sort of name -- even if we know it. Or I have forgotten, with my senior memory, what our polite term is if it's not "sir" and "ma'am. I know "sir" is still used a lot in formal situations, and would probably be received better than "bro" by any gentleman over 50.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
23 Oct 11
He is saying Mike and not Mate? Wow.I don't know how it started but us Southerners use terms of endearment with strangers All the time. I get Hon,Honey, Sugar, Sweetie, and Dear All the time. I assume he is just trying to be friendly and if you asked him , he would knock it off!
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 Oct 11
Bingo! With the thickest Aussie accent mate could come out Mike.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
24 Oct 11
OK, Mike. 
You must really hate that "love" talk!
You must really hate that "love" talk!
@savypat (20216)
• United States
26 Oct 11
I don't know about Aussies nick names. In the USA you could be called different names in different parts of the country. Buddy or Sister are good ones, You could get a Hi Guy or Hi Gal in other places. It's all just custom. Just smile and you'll one up them everytime.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 Oct 11
You've got a point there. Smiles are contagious.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
24 Oct 11
At least he doesn't call you "Shiela". Just kidding. As the other lotters have said, he was perhaps saying "Mate" ~ they do use that a lot. 1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
24 Oct 11
They call girls "Shiela". I thought they used "Mate" only for males.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Hmm I have not encountered anyone who calls everyone Mike, maybe he does it out of habit?!? I do know some people who calls everyone bro. 
I know it is a fad thing that some use where they call women and men bro. While I can understand they like using a bit of slang at times I am far from a bro. lol
So the Mike thing is a new one for me.
I know it is a fad thing that some use where they call women and men bro. While I can understand they like using a bit of slang at times I am far from a bro. lol
So the Mike thing is a new one for me. @hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
23 Oct 11
At first I felt a bit awkward when I first heard it and although I still can't get use to it; I hear women do it all the time. I am like what the hooey, who does this. lol
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I have never particularly cared for the "bro" fad. I sure know a lot of guys who do call each other "bro." Never heard any of them use it with a girl or woman, though. It's usually only the younger generaltions who do it here.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
24 Oct 11
It wouldn't even make sense really to call people "guy" as in this guy.. because there are peple who actually have that name! How much worse "Mike"? I think the old word used "dude" would make more sense!
I think the old word used "dude" would make more sense!1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
24 Oct 11
When I hear "dude," I'm always expecting to see a ranch hand from a dude ranch.
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
23 Oct 11
That is strange I always thought Aussies referred to ladies as Sheila's? I wonder if this guy is just being friendly and doesn't realize he may be offending some people? I would say to him friendly that my name wasn't Mike, depending on the mood I was in. Mind you when I go to the checkout I much prefer to go to a checkout with a female serving, young or old! Guess it's a blokey thing for me. I wonder if others have a problem with him too, or just laugh it off. He could be miserable and not speak at all I guess.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
I also prefer female clerks. Now you have me wondering about the "Sheila" thing. That was mentioned before in this thread. Has anyone else heard of that?
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Oct 11
I thought they called everyone "Mate"... 
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Oct 11
After reading this thread, I see that you are right.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
23 Oct 11
I didn't know that and it would bother me too. Another thing that bothers me is when some of us gals go out and they say....how are you guys tonight...I am a woman. I am not a guy! I like being a woman and I don't want to be implied that I am another gender....so remember that you servers,bartenders etc. I AM NOT A GUY!
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
24 Oct 11
For some reason, that doesn't bother me as much, since "you guys" is about the same to me as "you people" and in that context applies to anyone present.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Hi bagarad, I have read in previous responses that he may be saying mate instead of Mike. That was my thought too when I was reading your discussion. Now my thing is I would rather be called mate than "hey you". I was once hired on with a company and the lead person didn't know my name, didn't even ask me my name, didn't even try to find out what my name was, she just said "hey you." I found that was very rude and very offending. I was so happy when I left that job. It was temporary.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Oct 11
I have to agree with you. "Hey you" is much worse -- especially in a situation where there is regular contact -- even for a short time. It's rude because that lead person is really saying "You're a nothing, since you are only temporary." Yes, that gets the prize for rudeness.
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
26 Oct 11
I have never heard of anyone calling anyone Mike. If he is australian, then maybe he is saying Mate, I know some english people say that also. And when he says Mate it come out sounding like Mike. Ask him what he is saying.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
26 Oct 11
I think everyone has already convinced me he's saying "Mate" and I'm hearing "Mike." This Saturday I will listen more carefully.
