I am totally flumoxed

[col's dad]

the collective noun for flock of CROWS is a" FUNERAL", so were they some old FUNERAL'S?

[Optimark]

I always thought it was a "murder" of crows.

Mick.

[col's dad]

I stand corrected, I belive you are right, when they won't move, or block the aisle in the supermarket, thats when you want to do more than call them, wot you said

[Scott]

I would only say "excuse me" (without the gender, like other forumites have alluded) and would then fart in their midst when walking through.

[Bushmiller]

"Hi guys, what can I do for today/" OR when a girl/woman calls me "mate" I don't like that either. I don't mind that from a bloke, but not from a woman (not even my wife)
Another thing that gets under my skin is when a sales person says "I haven't got any of.......today". Its not theirs, it belongs to the company's owner!!! They are only helping you to buy the article.

I struggle with the opposing sexes calling each other mate. Just doesn't sound right to my ears.

I don't really mind when they say "we" haven't etc. as to me it sounds as though they are part of a big family and they empathise, but "I" is a little on the arrogant side and speaks of self-importance.

I remember a tech teacher when I was going to welding classes. Dan was a lovely man and if he saw you struggling with a project he would step in and say in the most humble manner imaginable "Would you like us to weld that up for you?."

Back to the original group of females. Presumably when they insisted they were not ladies it is possible they were throwing out a hint completely devoid of subtelty. Possibly they were offended when you did not pick up on it.. Purely out of interest Phil, what age group would they fall in to, as this could be a clue?

Regards
Paul

[Phil Spencer]

I struggle with the opposing sexes calling each other mate. Just doesn't sound right to my ears.

I don't really mind when they say "we" haven't etc. as to me it sounds as though they are part of a big family and they empathise, but "I" is a little on the arrogant side and speaks of self-importance.

I remember a tech teacher when I was going to welding classes. Dan was a lovely man and if he saw you struggling with a project he would step in and say in the most humble manner imaginable "Would you like us to weld that up for you?."

Back to the original group of females. Presumably when they insisted they were not ladies it is possible they were throwing out a hint completely devoid of subtelty. Possibly they were offended when you did not pick up on it.. Purely out of interest Phil, what age group would they fall in to, as this could be a clue?

Regards
Paul

Mid 30ish to mid 40ish.

[_fly_]

I usually ask them if they are waiting for a bus that they don't come past here, You need to go outside to a bus-stop.

[Grumpy John]

What about when they call you LUV or DARL

Christ Phil, they're only trying to be friendly. If you don't want people to talk to you get a T-Shirt that reads "I'm a miserable bastard, DON'T talk to me"

[pugwash]

A lot of woman say "Hello handsome" to me as I pass by.
Curiously it's only when I'm with the dog!

[Phil Spencer]

Christ Phil, they're only trying to be friendly. If you don't want people to talk to you get a T-Shirt that reads "I'm a miserable bastard, DON'T talk to me"

Thought they wanted to jump into the sack with me.