my friends in real life and internet friends all say good things about me yea but they also call me names like “buddy” or smol stuff like that, and i appreciate it sure but i also think they treat me like as if i was a child or a smaller person but i don’t know why!!! i can ask them but i don’t want to offend them or make them feel bad so that’s why i’m asking here, thanks!!!
Are you sure they are intending it in a diminutive sense and not a familiar or affectionate sense? Buddy is pretty common to call people you are being friendly with in American English at least. If you don’t like a nickname or term of endearment, you can tell your friends not to use it, but fair warning, friends of your age might just tease you about it instead of respecting your wishes.
I dunno. This seems fairly accurate:
The only time I’ve ever been called “buddy” as an adult is when I’m trespassing drunks who’re indignant at being told not to piss on my tenant’s window. (Or that i wouldn’t shake their hand.)(every damn time. Eww)