> But here's the problem: For a man talking to a man, all of the above are just plain fine. I strongly disagree. Some of those should be just fine for anyone (

> But here's the problem: For a man talking to a man, all of the above are just plain fine. I strongly disagree. Some of those should be just fine for anyone (telling someone they look good, advising someone they should dress better ("Dress for the job you want to have"), telling someone to stop being such an asshole (phrased more nicely perhaps)). For most of the others the distinction is not male/female, it's friend/buddy or co-worker. I've worked with very straight-laced folks in the teetotaler and conservative religious categories, and drinks and lewd jokes would be completely inappropriate for them as well, male or female.