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Significant Others

Hollyphantomshade

Hollyphantomshade

Woof
Okay, so I've been a part of the fandom for a while, (Couple of years), and I have a question pertaining to this whole concept of "Mates."
I've seen a lot of people in the fandom call their sig. others their "Mates." and I was wondering if that term implies a "Boyfriend-Girlfriend" (Or Girlfriend-Girlfriend, Boyfriend-Boyfriend, Somethingfriend-Somethingfriend, etc) Relationship, or does that term apply to something of more 'weight,' like a partner or spouse. Does it specifically imply that the two individuals have "mated" or does it differ from couple to couple? Does "mate" imply that the two people are also dating, or is it just in referring to their fursonas? If you had/have a significant other in the fandom, what would you call them?
 
pheonixbat

pheonixbat

The Battiest Bird
I would take it as just girlfriend/boyfriend but it could differ between couples. It's just that I've seen it referred to that way the most. It really depends on the people involved.
 
Astus

Astus

Well Known Foxxo
pheonixbat said:
I would take it as just girlfriend/boyfriend but it could differ between couples. It's just that I've seen it referred to that way the most. It really depends on the people involved.
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I interpret it like this as well. I think people just wanted their relationships to sound like what a biologist would say "the happily mated wolves make their way to their den, where they will engage in yiff"
 
Filter

Filter

ɹǝʇlᴉℲ
I think it's cute. If I had a significant other in the fandom and she liked it too, I'd call her my mate. Just something fun to call each other. A way of saying she's special to me etc.
 
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Eggdodger

Eggdodger

Mourning Dove
I've only ever used the word "mate" to refer to my SO to be ironic (I like to use furry lingo just to make fun of it), or when I talk to my English or Aussie pals.
 
Willow

Willow

FAF's #1 Terrorist
People who use mate to refer to their S/Os makes it sound like they're breeding with them and that's it. I'll stick to boyfriend kthnks
 
Taralack

Taralack

Hit 'em right between the eyes
Sometimes I think I'm one of the only people around here who is actually married.. jeez
 
SkyboundTerror

SkyboundTerror

Thrashing About
I also think it sounds cute, but I'd never use it myself if I ever get a real girlfriend. I'd prefer saying "the lady." Makes them sound respectable and scary at the same time.
 
Gnarl

Gnarl

The Arcane Sage
Taralack said:
Sometimes I think I'm one of the only people around here who is actually married.. jeez
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Hey now, my "MATE" and I have been married for twenty two years!
 
Butters Shikkon

Butters Shikkon

Patron Saint of Queers
Taralack said:
Sometimes I think I'm one of the only people around here who is actually married.. jeez
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I'm catching up!! Just give me a few months.

Also, I never got the "mate" hate. My mother uses that term and she doesn't even know what a furry is.

You see a lot of furries use it as a term for bf's and gf's and not husband/wife. I like to call them "mate of the week" for that reason.
 
Koota

Koota

Active Member
I would think it would be used to define anyone you have a special bond with (more then friends).
 
Charrio

Charrio

Artistic Mouse
Mate has been used way before Furries.
Mate has been the polite term for finding a spouse or mate as it was called.

Furries just grabbed the term out of the animal terminology and used it, not caring
or realizing it is or was a common term for a spouse or marriage parnter.

Personally I want a "Mate" someone who gets me and the genre, screw anyone who
judges me and my happiness.
 
DrDingo

DrDingo

Moved to phoenix.corvidae.org with the others
You people make me feel dirty for greeting people with 'Hey, mate!' all the time. >:C
They're my friends, I'm not gonna bang them!
 
Charrio

Charrio

Artistic Mouse
DrDingo said:
You people make me feel dirty for greeting people with 'Hey, mate!' all the time. >:C
They're my friends, I'm not gonna bang them!
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Nah don't worry about it.
"Hey, mate!" when spoke in such context as friends is very normal.
The application in ways such as introducing someone as your, mate
implying that they are more then friends.

Such as,
"I love this song, me and my mate had our first dance together to it."
would give the implication of being romantically involved.
 
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