So Iβve realized that in conversations Iβll use traditional terms for men as general terms for all genders, both singularly and for groups. I always mean it well, but Iβve been thinking that itβs not as inclusive to women/trans people.
For example I would say:
βWhatβs up guys?β βHowβs it going man?β "Good job, my dude!β etc.
Replacing these terms with person, people, etc sounds awkward. Yβall 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.
I agree. Itβs the plural of βyouβ that should be the official standard, since it disambiguates βyou.β It can even be broadened to include larger groups via βall yβall,β as in, not just yβall in talking to, but all yβall in the house.
It can replace βguysβ, but not βman,β though.
