Why calling some women 'guys' is abrasive

[samvara]

I have the hardest time explaining this sometimes so I've experimented with graphical form - does this make sense to people?

ETA: Suggested alternatives include Gentlebeings, Folks, All, Everyone, People

Comments

[rdm]

Makes sense to me, and makes a very good point.

Now, so I can address that behaviour in myself, do you have any suitable gender-neutral alternatives to cover a mixed audience? I've played with 'folks', but it seems a little (forgive me) folksy, and my morning greeting of 'gentlebeings' (to clarify - I make no assumptions about the species of some of my workmates, think Nobby from Discworld) is a little too jokey for many situations. As for 'Peeps', I find it a rather abhorrent construction, not to mention going too far in the informal direction for many situations.

[samvara]

Thank you for the feedback, this is one of the things that feels obvious to me but is not clear at all to others so I'm seeking a way to shortcut that conversation.

I agree on 'folks' being a bit informal, I like 'gentlebeings' and I love that it's not species specific but it's a bit long and for me it has a sort of flavour of belonging to a certain 'class.'

I use 'people' and I range from using a quite formal tone in work settings to a more extravagant 'hello beautiful people' in more relaxed environments. I think it has the advantage of not having any gendered qualities and also for me it refers back to important notions of 'personhood' and it's not speceist.

[rdm]

People... hmmm I'll think about that one. I like prk's suggestion below, too. They both have merit.

Out of curiosity, and on the topic of speceism, are you familiar with Skin Horse?

[samvara]

I like 'all' as well :)

Skin Horse; no and now I shall become so!

[rdm]

I have one thing to say:
Scary big words! Hugs!

[prk]

I try and use "all" - Hi all / Morning all / etc.

Prk.

[fred_mouse]

For the more formal situation, there is "everyone" as a good substitute for "all"

[rdm]

Excellent point! I *should* have thought of that!

[callistra]

It makes sense to me.

[transcendancing]

Yay diagram! It's a very easy explanation for why it's not always appropriate :)

I like the suggestions too.