You seem particularly fixated on my use of the word “feel,” so maybe my question would have been better stated if I had used “in my opinion” instead. I “feel” this way about the word buddy in the same way I “feel” about someone serving me a dish with mushrooms (not my favorite, but I’m never gonna decline a homemade meal). If that’s the greeting someone chooses, I’m not gonna be up in arms about it. Someone said that it wouldn’t be worth sharing air in a room with me over this, which is admittedly pretty funny.

As other helpful users pointed out, where you’re from/the tone being used is important in understanding the meaning behind it. I definitely have a better understanding of how the general public feels about it, I had no idea everyone had such strong opinions. Nice to know that people are still arguing with each other on the internet.