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Politicians use it a lot as well, I've noticed, usually when dodging questions!

"Now look here" My rather posh grandad used to say this all the time.

My DS and I had a "listen" count on Ian Thorpe during the Olympics. He said it A LOT!!!

It can be an Irish thing but usually only when acknowledging that someone is right or playing along with a joke, so it's not aggressive - along the lines of "You were pretty merry last night" "Ah, listen, don't we all do that sometimes." I can't say I've noticed it much in the UK and I didn't realise it was also an Australianism.

Ooh that's funny I was about to say must be an English thing as I don't remember anyone ever starting a discussion with either but it seems people think its Australian! Must be habits for different areas. I would think it was very odd for someone already engaged in conversation to say either to me.

Yes, listen and look, both rather aggressive and bossy, unless being used in a genuinely tongue in cheek way.

What about people that begin a conversation with "tell me to butt out if this is not any of my business but....."? I just want to interject with " "stop there then!

Kiwis do it as well - but 'look' more than 'listen'.

That's what I was going to say Wombat. It's 'look' that I notice all the time.

I'm in Australia & hardly ever hear 'listen'. 'Look' is the norm - all the politicians open their sentences with it. Hate it too!

Ha, I never realised it was an Australianism (I'm Australian but haven't lived there for many years) . I use it a lot, it's a bit of a filler word really. Like saying, "You know what?"

I agree that in the wrong tone/context it would be very rude though.

ttt

Drives me nuts. I listen to a lot of podcasts from Radio Australia and boy, do they say it a lot. You can guarantee that if they interview someone, the first word out of their mouth will be 'listen.....'

I find "Look" worse than "Listen" though. Seems more imperious.

Hmm...I don't know about rude, but an irritating habit, certainly. I cringe when people start a conversation with, 'With all due respect...' and you know damn well they are about to be extremely rude.

South Africans say "Listen, I must tell you....." which also sounds really aggressive until you get used to it.

I do use it quite a lot- usually, "Hey, listen...."- I dont know why. Maybe cos I hang out with a lot of Australians

here here nemno well said. I don't think AP O brien means to be rude and i have the upmost respect for the man but he does say 'Listen' alot (scratches head)

I was going to say that Australians do it a lot and that yes I found it quite aggressive until I realised it is just a manner of speech there. Without the Aussie 'free pass' I still find it rude though.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTAK7cX0wYY

Lol are u Aidan O Brien?

I don't think it's rude. and that has nothing to do with the fact that I find myself saying it quite a lot

What about people who say 'I'm sorry but...' and then proceed to say something rude/offensive/racist that they're not sorry about at all!

That should be 'used' to not 'shed' to - predictive texting

Very common in Australia and they're genuinely not being rude, it's just how they talk. Took a bit of getting shed to though.

Listen right, Yeh

^ that is my brother when he's fucked up and been caught and is trying to worm his way out of it. The minute he says that the family zone out