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Veronica · 02-26-2007, 09:00 AM

I've hear black people call each other "bro" in american movies but is this word only used by black and not whites?
Do black people take it as insulting if a white guy calls them bro? it's always awkward not to know these details.

Hebe · 02-26-2007, 09:59 AM

What I noticed while I lived in USA is that they felt awkward being called �bro� by someone who was not really a close friend; other than that, youngsters called each other �bro� regardless of their skin color.

The situation might be different in other English speaking countries, though.

elmeromero · 03-05-2007, 09:29 AM

"Bro" is widely used by people of different ethnicities. The only context in which it may not be well received is if a particular black individual takes offense when a non-black calls him "bro", and I can't speak on the frequency with which this happens. I suspect, however, that it happens less and less.

TheGrayGirl · 05-06-2007, 05:33 PM

I hear this term used more with skaters and surfers, not black people. There are very few black skaters/surfers.
It is really more of a term you would use with close friends, and if you are comfortable with it, use it...hopefully yoour friends would tell you if they don't like being called 'bro'!

serrabecerra · 05-07-2007, 07:50 AM

Hebe and elmeromero are correct in saying that it is used by many ethnicities but that when used by a non-black to a black there may be offense if they are not friends but I don't think it happens often nowadays either.

justinb · 02-13-2008, 04:33 PM

Back in the 80's "bro" was used more often to refer to African-Americans. Bros and Sisters were black guys and girls.

It is now used more by surfers, frat guys, and people mocking surfers and frat guys.

other terms are

brah
broham
dude-bro

and a load of other silly stuff

There is a different word that is used among African-Americans that will cause offense if used by the wrong person. I suggest that NOBODY use this word.

02-26-2007, 09:00 AM	#1
Veronica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 492 Rep Power: 153	Black slang I've hear black people call each other "bro" in american movies but is this word only used by black and not whites? Do black people take it as insulting if a white guy calls them bro? it's always awkward not to know these details. __________________ mmm...chocolate.

02-26-2007, 09:59 AM	#2
Hebe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Caracas- Venezuela Posts: 758 Rep Power: 920	What I noticed while I lived in USA is that they felt awkward being called �bro� by someone who was not really a close friend; other than that, youngsters called each other �bro� regardless of their skin color. The situation might be different in other English speaking countries, though. __________________ Hebe ♥ ♫ "*To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning". Henry David Thrreau"*

03-05-2007, 09:29 AM	#3
elmeromero Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181 Rep Power: 108	"bro" "Bro" is widely used by people of different ethnicities. The only context in which it may not be well received is if a particular black individual takes offense when a non-black calls him "bro", and I can't speak on the frequency with which this happens. I suspect, however, that it happens less and less.

05-07-2007, 07:50 AM	#5
serrabecerra Contributing User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 53 Rep Power: 33	Hebe and elmeromero are correct in saying that it is used by many ethnicities but that when used by a non-black to a black there may be offense if they are not friends but I don't think it happens often nowadays either. __________________ *~ Claudia*

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05-06-2007, 05:33 PM	#4
TheGrayGirl New Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 16	I hear this term used more with skaters and surfers, not black people. There are very few black skaters/surfers. It is really more of a term you would use with close friends, and if you are comfortable with it, use it...hopefully yoour friends would tell you if they don't like being called 'bro'!

02-13-2008, 04:33 PM	#6
justinb Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 81 Rep Power: 102	Back in the 80's "bro" was used more often to refer to African-Americans. Bros and Sisters were black guys and girls. It is now used more by surfers, frat guys, and people mocking surfers and frat guys. other terms are brah broham dude-bro and a load of other silly stuff There is a different word that is used among African-Americans that will cause offense if used by the wrong person. I suggest that NOBODY use this word.

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