I call men I respect “brother”, it’s a southern thing, something I picked up being raised in the Baptist Church.
There’s nothing offensive about it, you just like whining.
Those who complain about “brother” are perfectly alright listening to an Ivy league snob who corrects everyone in public from their know-it-all ivory tower.
Can you imagine what it must be like to play a round a golf with Romney? I’d rather suffer hemorrhoids.