You guys...

I hate it! I am NOT a guy and don't want to be addressed as one. Yet another Americanism that has crept into our language, it can creep out again as soon as it likes. I'm not normally a grumpy old...........

Don't like....you guys, ........but realise it is common parlance. I was hearing it a lot at school as I came up to retirement. It's very American.

DM used to dislike 'OK' but I notice I used it in my post above

I'm used to 'no worries mate' so 'no problem' seems OK to me! In fact it reminds me of when we did have a problem in France and other French families on the campsite were so helpful and kind and when we tried to thank them they kept saying 'pas de probleme' (with an accent over the middle e of course, can't seem to do it on here).

nannalyn53, I think we all have our personal annoyances as far as language is concerned, I don't like the "can I get?" simply because it's stupid way to address a person serving in say a coffee shop and it's not always accompanied by a please either.

I would not take exception to a sales person or waiter saying "no problem", maybe it's not entirely the appropriate response but I find it perfectly polite and that's enough for me.

worthingpatchworkers - I think you have made a valid point about being literal with those suffering from autism, although some with that condition manage to disguise it. I do think though "guys" is considered, by a section of the younger generation as an acceptable way to address a group of people, even though that group may include women. Similarly, I and many others will refer to my children sometimes as my kids, I think autistic people would know from the context that the conversation is not referring to baby goats.

I'm not sure I would consider either "kid" or "you guys" lazy language they are just idioms, and the latter is a term favoured by the younger generation. We are all of "our time" and every generation is influenced in different ways as far as speech is concerned. At the moment we have the Australian inflection, Americanisms, not to mention street language that encompasses elements of West Indian and Asian which produces a patios that is sometimes quite hard to follow.

I don't object to 'you guys' but I do find other expressions irritating. The one that rattles my cage is the ubiquitous 'no problem' as in exchanges such as:
Salesperson: what can I get you?
Me: an Americano please.
Salesperson: no problem.
Why would it be a problem? We're in a coffee shop for god's sake. It's not as if they have to make a massive effort to source it. I've encountered this buying fruit from a fruit stall, ordering meals in restaurants and drinks in a pub and it really, really annoys me.

I use 'you guys' or 'you chaps' but I mean it respectfully as there is often no other polite and lighthearted alternative.

Or perhaps there is? What should I be saying?

To the comment 'frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn'......I prefer the phrase form the same movie but said my Scarlet.....fiddle de Dee, I'll worry about that tomorrow.'........it works so well.

I don't fret about it.....I just thought it would be interesting to hear what others thought. So...thank you for your input.

I've just realised that one of our friends always addresses the group as 'Hey guys', I haven't really noticed so it can't bother me much!
On the other hand he also says "Can I get" in restaurants instead of "May I have", which really irks me.
My other pet hate is "Yahrite there?" from anybody involved in customer service.

I have to day I also don't like the term 'kids'........to me, kids are baby goats.... I believe many of these terms are lazy..... Some people just follow the trend rather than thinking for themselves and considering what they are saying...as an example of this.....when making tea or coffee it is never 'the kettle has boiled'......the water has boiled..... I know I appear to be pedantic but....consider how confusing some of the current language use can confuse those who see life 'literally' such as those with autism.
This is not to say I don't accept changes in our language..I am happy to 'Google it' with the best and I also make up my own words....I just don't like lazy language use and I know I am not the only one.

I've always quite fancied being in charge of a brothel - would have to be very posh, very French and with the air of the Belle Epoch very Lady Marmalade- go on then tear me to shreds!

it's mate that I hate most...

I really don't like this at all but even worse was a former employer who used to refer to us as "you people". That made me see red. It seemed so patronising.

I think there is a massive difference between someone using the word you "Guys" and you "Lot". I must admit I use the word you guys a lot and when I do I always mean it in an affectionate way. It just doesn't feel offensive in anyway or American to be honest. If someone called me Madam, I think I would be confused as to what they thought of me?

I've never heard that term being used round our way. I get called love, darling, or sweetheart off people but never 'guys'.

I don't dislike the term "you Guys" If you are addressing a group of people in a generally informal setting. "You lot" can be quite friendly as well, it all depends on the context.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. The only thing I do have a problem with is people saying 'oh bless' to me as it makes me feel that they think I'm a bit pathetic....

I don't object at all to familiarity , it's rather nice. It's just seems a rather false thing to say. Eta I would also feel uneasy with someone calling me 'madam' This would make me feel 'very' uncomfortable

Maybe it's just me and I'm the only one who thinks it...but really there are so many other things that really matter in=my life and in the wider world in general that I just can't find it in my heart to fret about someone saying guys as a genetic term and including me in that. Each to their own I guess!

Bellasnana???

I don't really mind (have a little grin to myself) because it is usually the DC's friends who call us that when they greet us with a hug, and I would rather they did that than refer to us as the 'old fuddie duddies' or ignored us.

Not sure how I would feel if a waiter came up to me and my female friends and asked what 'you guys would like to drink' though

What about us gals? Or, as Stansgran said, dolls?
I've been told by close relatives that calling them 'peeps' is inappropriate. Think I'll try 'you guys' next!

You guys who object to you guys are far to literal in your approach to life.