You are of course entitled to your opinion. Personally, I’ve used “Folks” or “Hey folks” for years and finds that it comes easy to me, though an argument could be made that it’s deliberately affected language or ever-so slightly regional and archaic. I am personally happier using it, even given that possible complaint than using guys in mixed company.
I tend to be very aware of it IRL because for most of my adult life with my wife (and previously exclusive SO) she was the only woman (or rarely one of two) in our social group of gamers, and while she never made a big point of it, she did vent to me about always being treated as “one of the boys”. No, she didn’t want to be put on a pedestal to be worshipped but not respected per the trope of some gaming groups, but she also didn’t want to be take for granted as an honorary male (yes, sarcasm intended).
IMHO, YMMV, I do not expect to speak for all, etc.
Yeah, the “people” thing generally doesn’t work well. A phrase like “you people” just begs to be followed by something like “… are crazy!”.
But neither “everybody” nor “you” seems quite right when inviting a couple over for dinner, one of whom is trans. “Everybody” is clearly inappropriate, and “you” risks being interpreted as inviting only one of them. Life would be easier for me if “you guys” was the accepted form of casual address for mixed genders.
A profession is staffed by a single gender so the gendered term isn’t an issue
The other gender starts to join. A new term is created (firewoman, mail lady).
The separate terms feel clunky, so there’s a push to redefine the original term as non-gendered (“they’re all firemen, it doesn’t actually mean they’re men”)
A new non-gendered term becomes standard (firefighter, mail carrier)
When you’re at step 3, it feels like you’ve made progress. And who knows, maybe “guys” will eventually become truly non-gendered, not just a bunch of men arguing it should be.
But history isn’t on your side. 10-15 years ago, I didn’t see many people complaining about its use. But at my last 3 companies since then, there have been gentle suggestions to use a more inclusive term.
I’m not Southern, but I have incorporated both “Howdy,” “Y’all (+/- singular),” and – when the situation requires – “All y’all (+/- plural)” into my vocabulary.
They have great utility.
ETA: Of course, it’s not quite that simple:
But it seems to function pretty much as I described.
Fer crissakes, if I, an elderly female New Englander, blurt out an exasperated “DUUUUUUUUUDE!” at my cat, or my computer, or the thing I just dropped, am I being oppressed by the patriarchy? The damned word just SOUNDS perfect for such moments.
