Does anybody else get irritated by this? There's a continuum here from mild to appalling:

1. Over-frequent use of the word 'mate'. See also 'pal'. Never used by people that are actually close friends.
2. People that use your name unnecessarily in conversation. See also people that start emails with just your name, rather than 'Dear...'
3. People that, when shaking hands, offer their hand with the palm facing downwards, forcing you to twist your hand. My brother-in-law insists on doing this, and one day I'm going to have a stern word with him about it.
4. Overtly patronising forms of address that would normally be used for a child. Notable offenders: 'young man', 'champ'.

Last night I was offered the most horizontal palmed handshake I've ever experienced, forcing me to move the guy's hand sharply back almost 180 degrees in the other direction. Later, I met a guy who on more than one occasion addressed somebody as 'big guy'. Fuck off.

Anyone?