Australian ban on "mate" wins few friends

[T_i_B]

Who on earth gets offended by "G'day mate" anyway? :shrug:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,12070,1552972,00.html

To Australians, it is the linguistic equivalent of beer and barbecues - but for a short time yesterday the ubiquitous greeting of "mate" was in danger of being banned at the nation's centre of government.

In an edict from a senior civil servant, security staff at Australia's national parliament in Canberra were told not to use the greeting "G'day mate" when admitting visitors and politicians in case they caused offence.

News of the ban sparked national outrage and ridicule, not least from the prime minister John Howard, who uses the term often, especially when addressing George Bush.

With the media also in uproar - the front page of yesterday's Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper declared: "Mate: It's an Insult" - Mr Howard said the ban should be revoked immediately.

[AussieDave]

1. The ban is to be rescinded

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16310938-39555,00.html

but it'll be interesting to see if the "senior civil servant" with the hair up his ass is ever identified.