Is it ok to refer to women as mate?

I once got in the back of a taxi and without looking said "hello mate", then realised it was a lady driver and felt embarrassed. She just said "hello" as if it were nothing unusual.

The other day I saw a person who I thought was a bloke but was actually a woman and nearly called her mate but didn't, I just said "hello". It wasn't till she replied that I realised she was a lady and I felt relieved I'd dropped the mate bit.

Posted By: Chris Peacock, May 20, 11:26:25