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I tend to informally address mixed gender groups as "you guys," and I know that bugs some people. Unfortunately I can't think of any better gender neutral terms
by actsasbuffoon 10y ago
I tend to informally address mixed gender groups as "you guys," and I know that bugs some people. Unfortunately I can't think of any better gender neutral terms that maintain the informal feeling.
Sometimes I wish I was southern so I could get away with "y'all." It's such a useful term, but it sounds so wrong coming from my north eastern accent.
- st3v3r 10y agoFolks. People. Both perfectly fine terms.
- actsasbuffoon 10y ago"Folks" makes me feel like George W. Bush. I can't bring myself to say it. He used the word a lot, frequently in inappropriate contexts. Now the word is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. "Many of the spectacular car bombings and killings you see are as a result of al Qaeda — the very same folks that attacked us on September the 11th." People works in some contexts, but has problems in others. Note the difference: > What are you guys up to? Versus > What are you people up to? The first is fine. The second gets you a visit from HR. EDIT: And to get back to my earlier point, "What are y'all up to?" is friendly and casual. The problem is that I sound as natural as someone's dad trying to rap when I say it.
- mcgrath_sh 10y agoYou could always go with the Pittsburgh/Western PA equivalent of "yinz." :)