Positive:
* Friendly: A "lad" can be a friend, someone you know well and like.
* Respectful: It can be used as a term of endearment or respect.
* Informal: It's a casual, friendly way to address a young man.
Negative:
* Dismissive: "Lad" can be used to dismiss someone, implying they are immature or inexperienced.
* Insulting: It can be used to belittle someone, especially if used in a sarcastic tone.
Examples:
* "He's a good lad, always willing to help." (Positive)
* "Come on, lads, let's get this done." (Friendly and informal)
* "Don't be a silly lad, you know that's not true." (Dismissive and somewhat insulting)
Note:
* The term "lad" is generally considered more informal than "man".
* It is more common in the UK than in other English-speaking countries.
* The specific connotation of "lad" can vary depending on the context and the speaker's tone.