Cardi, it is convenient that you found a definition for "kid" (of which there are many, according to the site or dictionary you look in) which patronisingly compliments Pat. But you had absolutely no idea that you were calling him a "youthful expert." I'd even go so far as to say you'd cringe at the thoughts of calling Pat an expert at anything. Stop patronising the kid.

That said, I find "kid" no more offensive than "sir". Or no less offensive. Both are terms of address, and both were used belittlingly or sarcastically.

And, while I'm pissing on this shit pile, I may as well shake some dribbles on another brief subject. An example of confusing "business" and "personal" issues can be seen no better in a certain list of September 9/11 victims in another thread, which happens to be just as ugly as this one. So forget trying to teach Patrick the ways of productive arguement.

Respect. What a load of bollocks.

A super-short conclusive coda: let's get rid of the smileys.