I don't know if this is just a British thing or if it happens in the States too and elsewhere.What it is is I'll be paying my taxi fare or for my groceries and the guy will say "Thanks Boss",as though I am The Man and somehow responsible for all my country's colonial oppression and general bad deeds against immigrants.Because it is usually immigrant workers who use this expression.It really is some kind of backhanded compliment but it pisses me off.No,I don't align myself with the empire,the queen or repressive regimes.Don't fucking give me that Boss crap.Maybe it started with "Zorba The Greek",which was a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis which was made into a very famous film in which an irascible yet loveable older rogue takes a bookish young man under his wing and teaches him the ways of the world.Zorba always calls the younger man "Boss".In this context it is quite in line with the film but generally I just hate it when people call me "Boss".I am experienced.I've been around the block a few times.Anyway,rant over.
Maybe they think you look like Bruce Springsteen. Or perhaps since you are paying them for a service you are, for that car ride, their boss.
No they use it to patronize,belittle,and give the impression they are just poor innocent workers.They probably beat their wives. Now,some of them will call me "Brother",which I much prefer,especially If I'm a regular customer.
Crazy. The best is being called Chief! I've been called priestess once... But I was totally dictating EVERYTHING and I think they was putting me down but I liked it.
Worzels call people "squire". Some people use the word "big man" in the same way as "boss". I once had a famous German footballer (who spent most of his career in England) call me "big boy" - which I found extremely weird... As for immigrants, I think Britain or should that be "Britstan" is well and truly fucked. The Poles etc are economic opport exploiters, and are just as likely to go home when exchange rates differentials narrow. The real curse is the 3rd Worlders.. usually Muslim. They have no interest whatsoever in Britain, will multiple like locusts and then the demographic timebomb will explode. Us Brits will become a minority in our own country, and we'll have an Islamic fundamentalist prime minister. Its happening already on many local councils.
^ I certainly identify with Elvis here.I play and sing 'That's all right a mama" pretty well on the guitar.Maybe,and this is hard to admit,I am jealous of indigenous immigrant communities because they seem to have the community sense and sense of extended family which I lack.
I see a lot of younger guys say it to someone who is older than them. Seems they think it might get them a better tip.
