Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use the word "guys" to refer to people

201 replies

AliceAbsolum · 07/02/2021 19:22

When referring to a mix of gendered people is there anything wrong with saying:

"Hey guys"

"Nice one guys"

"Guys, shall we catch up soon"?

Is it sexist against women? I don't know what opinion to have, so wise vipers please tell me your thoughts.

OP posts:
user1471517900 · 07/02/2021 19:23

Fine here.

Cloudybeanie · 07/02/2021 19:23

I don't see it as gendered language to be honest, if I was in a group and they addressed us as guys I wouldn't be arsed. I wouldn't use it myself though, as I know not everyone feels the same, and there are plenty of other words readily available that can easily be used instead.

Bilgepumper · 07/02/2021 19:24

I use that phrase myself, nothing wrong with it.

peapotter · 07/02/2021 19:25

I do this all the time. Cant really see the problem with it.

It’s a lot more sexist if you speak a gendered language like Spanish, where the group is female (hi girls) until one male joins it (hi guys)

Language has various gender biases, but I can’t get worked up about it compared to the big issues.

NotFrozen · 07/02/2021 19:25

I’ve only ever heard complaints about it on mumsnet. In the real world it’s fine

HTH1 · 07/02/2021 19:26

The voting isn’t clear but I also don’t care about this.

Five67Eight · 07/02/2021 19:28

Apparently it’s very much Not OK on Mumsnet, meanwhile in the real world, I hear it and use it myself.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 07/02/2021 19:29

Are you on YouTube making a video? If not, it’s not ok

Tal45 · 07/02/2021 19:29

I use it sometimes didn't know it was a problem x

Original poster
AliceAbsolum · 07/02/2021 19:31

@CeeceeBloomingdale

Are you on YouTube making a video? If not, it’s not ok
Why is it OK on YouTube?
OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 07/02/2021 19:31

I used to use it at work. I was asked not to by someone who didn’t feel it appropriate.

I have used everyone, folks or team since.

GrimSisters · 07/02/2021 19:32

One if the chirpy young people I used to work with would use this expression all the time.
She was very into amdram and it showed.
So no, please don't use it - for no other reason than it really, really grates.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 07/02/2021 19:33

@AliceAbsolum it’s not somewhere I’d be so I won’t hear it! Every YouTube clip I’ve ever had the misfortune to overhear seems to start “Hi guys, so...”

TroysMammy · 07/02/2021 19:33

I dislike it. However I watch Simon Hurley craft on Youtube and he says "Hi dudes and dudettes" I look past it because I enjoy his channel and he's not actually referring to me personally.

TheGoogleMum · 07/02/2021 19:34

I used to say it and now try not to. I dont think of it as meaning men only but if other people feel it does then I dont want to make women feel excluded

Original poster
AliceAbsolum · 07/02/2021 19:35

[quote CeeceeBloomingdale]@AliceAbsolum it’s not somewhere I’d be so I won’t hear it! Every YouTube clip I’ve ever had the misfortune to overhear seems to start “Hi guys, so...”[/quote]
Ha. Amazing. I partly ask because DH and I vlogging and I don't like starting with that phrase!

OP posts:
Original poster
AliceAbsolum · 07/02/2021 19:35

@GrimSisters

One if the chirpy young people I used to work with would use this expression all the time. She was very into amdram and it showed. So no, please don't use it - for no other reason than it really, really grates.
Sounds hideous.
OP posts:
SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2021 19:36

I wouldn't use it myself because it'd be frowned upon at work.

There is some evidence to indicate that if you remind girls of their gender just before getting them to do a task perceived as a 'masculine' skill, they'll perform less well. I teach, and it seems to me even if there's only a tiny effect, it's worth considering.

WorraLiberty · 07/02/2021 19:36

I don't really think of it as gendered anymore but for some reason, it really makes me cringe.

Metabigot · 07/02/2021 19:37

I use it, see it as a unisex thing when applied to a group of people. No biggie...

Purplecatshopaholic · 07/02/2021 19:37

I don’t think of it as gendered, and use it all the time.

DinosaurDiana · 07/02/2021 19:37

It’s fine by me.

Isitbedtimeyet4 · 07/02/2021 19:38

I didn’t see it as gendered, but only because it was such a normal part of my vocabulary... but then recently I’ve been following a series about a transgender women who said it always just makes her feel a bit low because it is often used as gendered and so she tried to avoid it - although she rarely mentions it as people aren’t trying to be mean. Since then I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to say everyone instead!
Personally it’s no trouble for me to swap the word and if it make someone feel a bit better about themselves then I’m happy to!

OllietheOwl · 07/02/2021 19:38

I call everyone guys! My friends, male, female, mixed groups, my kids, my parents! I really don’t overthink it...
I also use “dudes” a lot - again, in every situation! It doesn’t mean I’m implying everyone is male.

Mellonsprite · 07/02/2021 19:38

I think it’s fine, I say to mean a group of people too.