Just as a clarification, I am a woman, and have used the word guys inclusively as long as I can remember. My sister doesn’t like it, and proudly told me how she corrects waitstaff. 
I don’t use it if I know it isn’t welcome (well. If given the opportunity I would to my sister jusy to give her crap ahemm). Seriously, though, I have yet to find anyone openly offended, (other than sis).
Theres no point, at all in trying to convince someone to be offended, either.
Just as useless as trying to convince people they aren’t offended?
A very simple change from “How are you guys doing?” to “How are you doing?” The word is not only obnoxious, it’s unnecessary.
We also have to keep in mind that communication is a collective project. We have to think about not just how we use a word but how other people use it.
Referring to women as “females” may once have had no offensive meaning. But then various MRA’s and incels and other misogynists began making a point out of complaining about “females” and the word developed offensive connotations. So now everyone should be aware that these connotations exist even if they do not personally believe in them.
I think this is a big problem today.
People read on social media or hear from others they must be offended or mis-used by a certain word or term. And magically they are a victim.
It’s the “I am a victim” syndrome so many people have now.
But we’re talking about sexism directed towards women. Saying that this exists is not inventing a problem; it’s acknowledging reality.
Think about it. Do the words “boyfolk,” “girlfolk,” or “childfolk” exist? Of course not. But menfolk and womenfolk are established words. What purpose do they serve that “men” and “women” alone couldn’t? There’s your answer.
It seems to be a old-fashioned military thing. If men were gathered into a regular or irregular armed force, they would call each other “boys.” Even gangs of thugs like the Peep o’ Day Boys. Or maybe I’ve been reading too much Revolutionary War and Civil War literature.
Nope, not inclusive for some people enough unless you spell it with an X for some reason. Though that can be a good indicator of who to avoid spending any more time interacting with, at least online.
It’s a perception. Of course I’m not gonna get up and scream “offense” if someone calls a group I’m in “guys”.
That is purely invented.
IMO
It does work that way for some people- morons mostly. A wide variety of prejudices have existed long before the internet.
As is the notion that anyone here is “screaming”.
Well, we don’t really know that, do we?
I’ve been in Arkansas for about 24 years now, and throughout the years there have been a few occasions where I could not understand a Native Arkansan because of their accent. On one awkward trip to Walmart, I asked the cashier to repeat the same thing three times and I still couldn’t understand what she was saying to me. In frustration, I turned to my wife, a native Arkansan herself, and said, “I don’t understand her, do you?” The cashier, no doubt frustrated by my inability to understand simple English, slowed down, enunciated her words, and I finally understood what she was asking me. I had used a gift card and when I handed it to her she asked me a one word question, “Reload?” It sounded like “ree-low” to my ears.
I’ve also been on the receiving end of some negative comments based on me being a (transplanted) Arkansan. It stings a bit, but typically I just ignore it and move on.
I doubt that very much. When I, with a yarmulke, go through check out in December and get any kind of holiday greeting, I smile and say ‘to you too!’. Should any clerk or cashier wish my sister a “Merry Christmas!” , she responds with a loud and angry “And a happy Hannukah to you!”
Whethere people should be offended is a matter of opinion. Whether some women are offended by “guys” is a verifiable fact.
Then, if there is no evidence, why bring up “screaming” at all. By the way, is “screaming” more, or less feminine than “yelling”? I have seen the word used as a means to make a person seem to be weaker and more feminine, but I could be mistaken.
Exactly.
Oh, come on…
At 199 posts, I don’t want to scroll all the way back and read this thread again. IIRC, some fo the women responded that they were offended. So no- it is not “purely invented”
To those of you who object to “guys”, do you also object to waitresses being referred to as “waiters”? Or actresses being called “actors”?
I ask because, to me, those examples - as well as “guys” - sound inclusive rather than dismissive.
mmm