And please, stop calling us "mates". For my part, I won't accept it, it's too direct and I won't consider it particularly polite (something I would basically expect from anyone I don't know too well).

Such use of affectionate terms of words like 'mate' is considered to be quite acceptable in not so formal situations in the North of England though and even some areas of the South I guess. It was a habit that I had to get out of when I left the country though.