Brilliant woke misogyny, is it just me?

The whole chirpy tone is grating, isn't it?

'Guys' is such a useful word, like 'chaps', it would be lovely to turn it gender-neutral. But I know lots of people feel that it isn't and object to it in those grounds. The only okay one I can think of is 'folks', which is hmmmm....

I felt jarred enough to notice when I read it.

I looked at the actual post btw to see if that was it, with pic feels a little better, as pic first thing then read generally.

Which means that the fact whoever wrote the text believes that Jenny's pronouns are MORE IMPORTANT than what Jenny does, where you might see her, her expertise, and the areas she often gets questions on.

Did no one proof read this?

Did Jenny ask to have pronouns first up? Rather than role, expertise etc?

Here's Jenny.

Jenny IDENTIFIES AS A WOMAN. Got that? Even though given you're reading this on Facebook it's pretty unlikely you're going to be taking about Jenny much if at all to anyone? And if go possibility might meet. And then might say things like. Can I ask you a question about starfish?

It's terrible marketing. If they must have it, brackets or note at end. Want clicks? Straight in with why click, catch interest.

Why do we need the bit in brackets when it goes on to say ‘… find out more about her.’? That’s her pronoun right there.

And given I've now read it a couple of times with critiquing head on.

And this will be a gift for anyone who wants to comment this is really trivial (understand why some people think that and obv comment if want! Not saying don't. If anyone reads and feels that, you'll love what comes next!...

It's also odd for this sort of marketing message in that-

The point is to get clicks, Jenny photo plus blurb intended to make think Jenny sounds really interesting going to click read more!

All it says about Jenny is that Jenny is a she/ her. Is an ocean discovery ranger, reader prob doesn't know what that is yet as explained later.

While scrolling people scan n generally. If not grabbed loads won't read rest.

Jenny.
Is she/ her.
Is a thing that means nothing to most.
Learn more about her! Click!

What there's more?!! Than that Jenny is 'she' and does something at aquarium? My god. There's more to Jenny? More than that? Wow, really want to discover more!

And then next bit which loads will scroll past. Is not specific to Jenny. Which is a bit rubbish really. Esp given we know fuck all about her specifically from the first bit.

Just really poorly done. Did marketing person cast an eye over it? Did Jenny say yep awesome? (Probably, easier than being asked what want instead!).

Aside from op issues it's just shoddy work.

And on Facebook, no link in that post to site! Sorry then not a clickthrough but squinting at pics of facts click enlarge to read.

Equally suboptimal imo.

Now I just think its a place I don't want to go because my brain can't process the additional requirements of people who are likely to react badly to me making a mistake. I really can't cope with pronoun people, however they identify.

I've also brought my gender non conforming children up to not see mis-sexing as a big deal. Because one sex is not inherently superior to the other. So I'd quite like to keep pronoun people away from them too, if possible.

Aww that's a shame!

Were you thinking of going before?

I mean a woman (or man) with job there even expert, it's going to involve cleaning gunge, hauling heavy things about, cutting up/ handling/ wandering about with buckets containing chopped up dead fish for feeding.

Breeding usually big at these places. And vv important. Plus knowing species male/female behaviour and so don't put that male X in that tank he'll attack all the others. Two males and female that species one male end up dead, possibly the female as well in the process.

I mean sure it's a guess but it doesn't feel like the sort of thing where gender will be vv priority etc. Unlike say UK corporate branches with USA parent. Various arts/ entertainment sectors. Etc.

I mean maybe she said. Most important thing about my role here is pronouns, they must be main point about me.

My money on. PR person or person who does FB posts as a bit of other things. Bunged it in. Because seems like have to do stuff like that or get complaints. Or some kind of cobbled together guidance about public posts.

And I mean maybe she did say please say that. Keen ally, for loads of reasons including personal.

If they put a post saying. New breeding program! We now know sex irrelevant, all about gender. Going forward we will determine gender of fish etc by putting each in aquarium with cartoon pic of fish at one end, cartoon pic with same fish but with long eyelashes and pouty lips at other end. See which they choose, they will naturally go to one that aligns with gender id.

Breeding program will then, as always should have, use gender id when considering breeding.

Acquariums are awesome. About the fish etc. Not their fault!

That's really funny. I really don't mind the term guys as a collective mixes sex group, but mixing a so called micro aggression with the virtue flag is ridiculous.
I'm guessing Jenny is a bloke in a skirt, most of us really don't care when all we want is the shark talk.

Yes, guys is very commonly used to mean group mixed.

Yes I know this is a thing which leads to bafflement, sometimes impatience/ irritation. Totally understand those who are... Eh?

That said guys certainly original and used to mean chaps, has moved to mixed.

What's female equivalent? I'll Google ..

Oh wow! I did not know this!
Guys comes from guy Fawkes! Here guys meant dodgy looking group of men.
Went to USA, meaning changed, came back again as just group men.
Mid 20th century started getting used for mixed.

Interesting!

Sorry got sidetracked.

Words/ phrases meaning/ for male only groups/whatever.

Used to be ubiquitous, still is just don't notice as normal. Some have been changed, and eyes are still rolled etc.

Male as default is just totally normal not even noticed.
Eg I'm sure we've all heard people getting FFS about firefighters instead of firemen. That stuff.

Things indicating male we are expected to be fine with for us as well, and irl generally very very few women/ girls care, or care enough to get irritated.

Tbc

What would be a better word than guys in that tweet then? I think there isn't really a good neutral equivalent. "People" but that would sound oddly formal in that tweet.

I really wish there was more consideration as to why offer up pronouns. We know that pointing out that Jenny is female makes her more likely to experience discrimination and misogyny. Do we have a benefit to pointing out her pronouns, (given that we use them later on) other than virtue smuguling? Thought not.

Oh that is really interesting! Love stuff like that.
So this Jenny, who is only interesting because she has female pronouns,..is she a woman then? Or is she a man?
If she has to say she’s a she that makes me think she’s a he, so we are actually none the wiser, but we do know the pr person is a numpty.
Why do we care as long as they know about fish.

Other way round? I mean it sounds ridiculous.

Gals then..? I know we don't use it really but that's apparently the female version.

Would it be-
Used for mixed groups?
Used for groups only men?

I mean that sounds ridiculous!
I mean just thinking about eg knocking on door of all male meeting. Poking head round.

Sorry to interrupt you gals! Times up I need this room.

Walking into pub seeing 4 men know at table-
Didn't expect to see you gals here on a weeknight!
Mixed work meeting. Ok gals now we're all here....

Etc etc.

I mean that sounds ludicrous, right?

WHY?

No good reason at all, logically. So why is it like this?

It looks confusing, odd and clunky to add words in brackets after a name without a clear meaning. They may as well have said (brown hair/blue eyes). Thankfully with Stonewall slowly being dropped, this will hopefully one day be looked back on as that period of time that prioritising pronouns was all the rage.

Grim. Easy. Off top of head and I'm in no way a words person at all-

Original:
'These guys are always around the building to help with any questions, provide you with fascinating fish facts and give amazing talks about the fish, sharks and rays!''

Our friendly rangers are always...

You can spot our rangers by their giant orange capes and false moustaches!(whatever it is). Look out for them around the building, they are always happy to help...

Have a question? Ask a ranger, they love questions! You will see them around...

Our ranger team is always...

Our 6 rangers love to help! You will see them around...

Etc etc etc.

The fact that Jenny, pictured. Has basically zero about her apart from pronouns. (How many who see the post will know what a ranger is/ does? I assumed the wrong thing, second para says what is). When she's the one featured.

The skills, role, placement, braininess etc is about team.
What about Jenny? Oh she's a she. And does something at aquarium. Wow! Must know more.

It's a shit pr effort all round. Imo.

I’m confused. Is the use of “guys” the issue? I’ve been using guys as a gender neutral term for about 3 decades. Or what am I missing?

A micro aggression against who?