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0 pointsfrenchy6y ago0 comments

It depends a bit on your dialect. On the west coast of North America, "you guys" and likewise "guys" is probaly the most un-marked form of 2-nd person plural. In other places it's "y'all". I'm not sure if "you folks" is normal anywhere, but it's not that weird either. There's other forms to make it plural too, like adding on "people", but that's more coloquial.

As far as I know, "guys" isn't really gendered, with the exception of a few people on a linguistic crusade trying to make a point.

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leetcrew6y ago· 2 in thread

I find "folks" is the best of a set of not very good options for addressing a group of mixed gender, since I'm a little too far north of the mason-dixon line to feel comfortable saying "y'all". "folks" doesn't necessarily work well in formal situations though, I wouldn't want to address the C-levels at my company that way. now that I think about it, I really can't think of any word in English that works for that case.

bonniemuffin6y ago

I agree "hi folks" isn't particularly formal, but I wouldn't use "hi guys" to address the c-suite either. "Guys" and "folks" seem similar in formality to me.

I'd probably go with "hi all" for a slightly more formal situation.

leetcrew6y ago

I definitely wouldn't call the execs "guys" either, especially if they're not all men. "hi all" is a good one, thanks for the suggestion. generally I just avoid any second person plural in these situations.

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