4 ms·

"your" guy? Might be just me, or might be because English is not my native language, but the use of possessive to designate people who work with you (albeit in

by rixed 5y ago

"your" guy? Might be just me, or might be because English is not my native language, but the use of possessive to designate people who work with you (albeit in a position that feels like it's inferior on some org chart) always sounds patronizing to me. Does it really not in English ? Not against you personally, I just could not keep this feeling within for longer. /out-of-topic

schwartzworld 5y ago
Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with “my guys”, at least not with the possessive pronoun. You would say “my team”, “my employees”, “my direct reports”. You’d also say “my boss”, if that helps with your sense of internal conflict over this.
- rixed 5y ago
  Haven't thought of "my boss". Sure it helps, thank you :)
svalorzen 5y ago
Not an English native as well, but in my language it works in the same way. "My" is used to designate possession of the set, not of the individuals. I don't own "my friends" as a slave owner, they are "my friends" because that is my personal set of friends among all possible sets of people.
Stratoscope 5y ago
You're not wrong to wonder about this, and even if it's off topic, I appreciate your asking about it. As others explained, it is common usage in American English. The bigger problem to many contemporary readers may be the (I am sure unintentional) sexism in the phrase "my guys". Instead of "Every one of my guys says", another way to say it would be "Everyone on my team says". Or maybe even better, "My teammates all say". Of course we have to keep in mind that these are all just late night off-the-cuff comments, so some gaffes may be expected and accepted. Edit to address the thoughtful replies below: I think whether "guys" is gender neutral or not depends on the context and culture. Informally and in personal conversation, sure, if the "guys" in question don't mind it. Here on HN, doesn't matter too much. In formal writing or business communication, it would be something to avoid.
- jraph 5y ago
  Is "guys" gender-neutral in some contexts? Maybe specific to some areas? It seems used by women for designating women at times.
- dkdbejwi383 5y ago
  “Guys” in my experience is just as gender-neutral as “teammates”, “people”, “folk”, etc. I’d address a group of all women as “guys”, e.g. “hey guys, you alright?” And if someone else used the word referring only to men I’d probably not clock that unless they clarified after
  - mingusrude 5y ago
    "I'm going to a club to watch some guys taking their clothes off". Gender neutral?
    - dkdbejwi383 5y ago
      I mean, yeah, but its awkward and unnatural phrasing. Try "I'm going to a club to watch some folk taking their clothes off", or "I'm going to a club to watch some teammates taking their clothes off" as well and see how unwieldy and cumbersome they are.
- JasonCannon 5y ago
  >(I am sure unintentional) sexism in the phrase "my guys". I generally try and be mindful of stuff like that, and were there any women on my team I wouldn't have used guys. Unfortunately covid plus unrelated personal issues caused the only woman on my team to have to resign last year. I do sincerely hope I can get some women to apply this hiring round, because diversity is important to me.
notenoughbeans 5y ago
Native English speaker here. I would interpret some one saying "my guys" in this context as a sign of respect. It can be roughly understood to mean "my go-to guy." It has the connotation of a well established, high-trust, working relationship. For example, if I needed to get my car serviced and someone was trying to pitch me different mechanics I would say, "I got a guy" to indicate that I already feel looked after.
deleted 5y ago
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by rixed 5y ago

schwartzworld 5y ago

Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with “my guys”, at least not with the possessive pronoun. You would say “my team”, “my employees”, “my direct reports”. You’d also say “my boss”, if that helps with your sense of internal conflict over this.

rixed 5y ago
Haven't thought of "my boss". Sure it helps, thank you :)

svalorzen 5y ago

Not an English native as well, but in my language it works in the same way. "My" is used to designate possession of the set, not of the individuals. I don't own "my friends" as a slave owner, they are "my friends" because that is my personal set of friends among all possible sets of people.

Stratoscope 5y ago

You're not wrong to wonder about this, and even if it's off topic, I appreciate your asking about it. As others explained, it is common usage in American English. The bigger problem to many contemporary readers may be the (I am sure unintentional) sexism in the phrase "my guys". Instead of "Every one of my guys says", another way to say it would be "Everyone on my team says". Or maybe even better, "My teammates all say". Of course we have to keep in mind that these are all just late night off-the-cuff comments, so some gaffes may be expected and accepted. Edit to address the thoughtful replies below: I think whether "guys" is gender neutral or not depends on the context and culture. Informally and in personal conversation, sure, if the "guys" in question don't mind it. Here on HN, doesn't matter too much. In formal writing or business communication, it would be something to avoid.

jraph 5y ago
Is "guys" gender-neutral in some contexts? Maybe specific to some areas? It seems used by women for designating women at times.
dkdbejwi383 5y ago
“Guys” in my experience is just as gender-neutral as “teammates”, “people”, “folk”, etc. I’d address a group of all women as “guys”, e.g. “hey guys, you alright?” And if someone else used the word referring only to men I’d probably not clock that unless they clarified after
- mingusrude 5y ago
  "I'm going to a club to watch some guys taking their clothes off". Gender neutral?
  - dkdbejwi383 5y ago
    I mean, yeah, but its awkward and unnatural phrasing. Try "I'm going to a club to watch some folk taking their clothes off", or "I'm going to a club to watch some teammates taking their clothes off" as well and see how unwieldy and cumbersome they are.
JasonCannon 5y ago
>(I am sure unintentional) sexism in the phrase "my guys". I generally try and be mindful of stuff like that, and were there any women on my team I wouldn't have used guys. Unfortunately covid plus unrelated personal issues caused the only woman on my team to have to resign last year. I do sincerely hope I can get some women to apply this hiring round, because diversity is important to me.

notenoughbeans 5y ago

Native English speaker here. I would interpret some one saying "my guys" in this context as a sign of respect. It can be roughly understood to mean "my go-to guy." It has the connotation of a well established, high-trust, working relationship. For example, if I needed to get my car serviced and someone was trying to pitch me different mechanics I would say, "I got a guy" to indicate that I already feel looked after.

deleted 5y ago

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