193
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

So I've realized that in conversations I'll use traditional terms for men as general terms for all genders, both singularly and for groups. I always mean it well, but I've been thinking that it's not as inclusive to women/trans people.

For example I would say:

"What's up guys?" "How's it going man?" "Good job, my dude!” etc.

Replacing these terms with person, people, etc sounds awkward. Y'all works but sounds very southern US (nowhere near where I am located) so it sounds out of place.

So what are some better options?

Edit: thanks for all the answers peoples, I appreciate the honest ones and some of the funny ones.

The simplest approach is to just drop the usage of guys, man, etc. Folks for groups and mate for singular appeal to me when I do want to add one in between friends.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] kaffiene@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

I've noticed people using these more but I hate them. It's a cultural thing. I'm a New Zealander and y'all sound American redneck to me and folks just sounds weird.

[-] june@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago

Rich coming from someone who says ‘nor’ instead of ‘no’.

/s

Seriously, I love NZ and can’t wait to get back there. I’ve only met a few shitty kiwis and they were all here in the US lmao

[-] hglman@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago

All it takes is using it for a bit, and it doesn't.

[-] kaffiene@lemmy.world 0 points 8 months ago

Nah. To me this is like suggesting to Americans that they start saying "good sirs" as a greeting. It grates

[-] BlueEther@no.lastname.nz 1 points 8 months ago

good point, bro

this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
193 points (78.0% liked)

Asklemmy

43989 readers
797 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy 🔍

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS