# I'm a woman who doesn't like being called "guy" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683 "2025-03-16T21:51:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/325 "2025-03-20T02:40:34Z")
How do you feel about “bro”? Today, I heard a male university student say “Bro!” to a young woman before explaining why he liked something. And I heard a group of young women call each other “bro”. Clearly I am unfamiliar with the many modern uses of this word. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/326 "2025-03-20T02:42:43Z")
I haven’t really heard “bro” but my Gen Alpha daughters will say “bruh” to each other. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/327 "2025-03-20T14:06:14Z")
Literally came to say. I asked my 21-yo daughter about usage amongst her mostly female friends, and: - “guys” is used universally and indiscriminately - there is one person who uses “dude”, which she apparently picked up from her dad, and it’s a catchphrase of sorts for her - nobody, but nobody, says “bro” - they all say “bruh”, but it’s used interjectionally, not as an address ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/328 "2025-03-20T14:21:26Z")
Ahem. [LAAAAADY!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMr8ZISY-c&ab_channel=padrerob1) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/329 "2025-03-20T14:22:12Z")
The correct response to “guy”, “bro”, or “sweetheart” (!?) is, “That’s Frau Professorin Doktor to you!” ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/330 "2025-03-20T14:41:37Z")
This was definitely “bro”, but it often seemed to be used interjectionally. I certainly can’t say how often “bruh” is used in Canada. I’m guessing a lot. But your low sample size doesn’t apply here. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/331 "2025-03-20T14:50:05Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > they all say “bruh”, but it’s used interjectionally, not as an address Yeah, that’s how I observe the usage around here and among her peers. It’s like “bruh, check this out” or “bruh!?” (“why did you do that?”) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/332 "2025-03-20T15:05:52Z")
Exactly. My 20 somethings say “guy” is fine. Bro and bruh and ya’ll are allover their speech. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/333 "2025-03-22T02:52:18Z")
Just yesterday I heard a young female prosecutor refer to a majority-female jury as “you guys.” I kid you not. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/334 "2025-03-22T04:00:24Z")
In Japanese, 皆さん _minna san_, everyone, is frequently used to address a group in polite speech. They also have a plural form for “you” which is also used. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/335 "2025-03-22T10:24:40Z")
It would be cool (and using that word, I’m telling you my age) to have a gender neutral word. I have youngish kids, they have friends. I deal with large groups of children of various genders. “You guys” is easiest, and I think the most gender neutral, whereas “you little rats” is what I mean. I don’t think that that phrase is publically appropriate, though. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/336 "2025-03-22T12:51:01Z")
My use of “you guys” depends on the situation: ``` 1. Family & Friends ``` If I’m certain no one minds, I’ll say “you guys” to address any mix of genders—it’s casual and comfortable among folks I know well. ``` 2. Very Casual Informal Audience ``` For something like a room full of used car salespeople, I’ll switch it up based on who’s in the crowd: ◦ All male: “you guys” ◦ All female: “you gals” ◦ Mixed: “you guys and gals” ``` 3. General Informal Audience ``` When speaking to a broader group (e.g., a co-ed crowd of accountants), I might say “you guys and gals,” but I’m more likely to say “ladies and gents.” It keeps things inclusive but still light. ``` 4. Formal Audience ``` Addressing, say, the former Queen of England and her court, I usually steer clear of “you guys” (and almost always avoid “youze guys”), opting for more formal titles and language. Otherwise, the reply may be “off with his head!” I’m not going to make that mistake again. Ultimately, it’s all about reading your audience. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/337 "2025-03-22T13:01:21Z")
My wife was mansplained by her boss how women hate to be called “ladies” … so much that it is offensive. I have never seen that but I’m not ready to say what women find offensive. So any women hate being called a lady as a collective noun? ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/338 "2025-03-22T13:25:24Z")
I posted above that I don’t get why “ladies” has to be ruled out. I think the perception of whether it’s good, bad, or neutral is highly subjective. I’ve always taken it as neutral. Sometimes conventional formalities are just that: conventional formalities and nothing more. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/339 "2025-03-22T13:28:09Z")
Right, but rather than as a social norm question, I’m asking the females in the thread if they _personally_ find being called ladies offensive or otherwise hate it. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/340 "2025-03-22T13:29:23Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > You guys” is easiest, and I think the most gender neutral, whereas “you little rats” is what I mean. I don’t think that that phrase is publically appropriate, though. Little rats, shit stains or scudsuckers lol. I have to ask about your username is that a swamp creature or something? I prefer to hear honored guest, esteemed colleague, illustrious client, super numerary. Muggles ? Oh I know. AM/FAB. Welcome amfabs enjoy yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/341 "2025-03-22T13:31:44Z")
Please do not say “the females.” _That’s_ what is universally held to be obnoxious. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/342 "2025-03-22T13:31:58Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I posted above that I don’t get why “ladies” has to be ruled out. Pretty much the same reason as for “guys” - someone is uncomfortable. I remember (jeez almost 50 years ago) at work one of my colleagues sometimes referred to women as “gals.” My colleague was an extremely friendly and openly gay woman, nevertheless some gal took her aside to say they didn’t like being called a gal. Our language does not support our aspirations and it isn’t adapting quickly enough. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/343 "2025-03-22T13:33:15Z")
To me “gals” is a functional equivalent to “guys” and I don’t see the problem with it, It’s better than “dames,” for sure ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683/344 "2025-03-22T13:34:45Z")
I’m sure if someone took you aside to say they didn’t like it you’d try to stop using it for them. Keeping track of everyone’s preferences isn’t a good use of our brain cells. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-woman-who-doesnt-like-being-called-guy/1015683.md?page=18)