To feel annoyed by language

I find 'you guys' annoying too. Have not been called 'dear' as yet, but don't mind if things are said in the right tone, friendly but not patronising.
If staff at the hospital ask what I would like to be called, then that's fine[it gives you a choice.] I agree with others that newspapers always seem to take a patronising tone regards older people, I also don't like the British thing of putting everybody's age e.g. 'Mrs Edna Tomson [36] said that the car had been speeding down the hill'. What the hell does it matter how old somebody is if they are merely a witness to something?

Yes, and then they usually go on to say something like: 'The mother of two was walking along the busy road...'

I've been greeted in Cafe Rouge " how are youse guys today?" Couldn't stop spluttering. This is in Durham pedantry generally rules.

Oh I'd like that. I have a problem with people saying 'oh bless' when I've commented on something. It's a local thing [I think] but it makes me feel like a doddery old fool that's being patronised .

Agree with Bags- does not offend me- unless the tone is condescending- In which case a sharp retort, with a sense of humour, is much more effective than getting all uppity. I use 'poppet' too in retorts- it works.

'You guys' is typically from the USA and has nothing to do with age though. I don't use it normally, unless we come across younger Americans on our travels.

I agree with MiceElf. The man had a serious, adult reason for making his journey and it should not have been fodder for flippant, comedic reporting.

I am sure that the media and public like to have a bit of a laugh but this was not a suitable subject for it.

I have to say what really got to me about this story was on Sky news, when a young reporter said a spokesperson at the care home said the gentleman in question "would not get into trouble" for going to France. Really? Who do they think they are, talking about this hero as if he was a child who just did a "naughty prank". When will senior citizens be seen as normal human beings who are just as capable as any other age group and sometimes more so?

Yes, sounds like a chimp breaking out of the zoo, doesn't it?

Tegan I would hate anyone to greet a comment with 'oh bless!' It's awful.

the 'oh bless' thing is on a par with anyone asking to talk to 'hubby' either in person or on the phone, I usually say 'what on earth is a hubby?'

With regard to "you guys" or "you lot" how else could you best address a group of people in a very informal setting, where ladies and gentlemen is not appropriate.

Depending on context, I find you lot" is quite useful and can be an "affectionate" term for a group of friends, but not every one thinks like this. It seems to occur on GN as friendly expression.

Can anyone offer alternatives?

'You people', 'you folks', 'you reprobates' (depending of course on how informal the setting was!)

I was annoyed when I read the report and he was described as 'wilful and determined' (apparently by a spokesperson for the care home, but not necessarily true, as the report may not be correct).

'Wilful and determined' as he was described in the media sounds like the kind of term that could be used for a three year old wanting to get his own way, not an 89 year old courageous RN veteran.

Thanks and respect are due to Lt. Jordan and all his comrades, not condescending reports that he 'absconded from his care home'. Surely if he chooses to live there to be with his wife who needs care, he is free to come and go as he pleases. He fought for our freedom but seems to have foregone his own.

A comedic report on the foolish staff who were all of a tizzy over nothing might have been a better idea.

I heard two year old DD2 addressing her Fisher Price people as 'you guys' today

Sorry - DGD2
(now that would be a miracle!)

Ah but your DGD didn't do the plural YOUSE guys not the Scouse singular but the Durham plural .

Some Scottish people use a plural yous too.

Seems to me southerners and pedants have no right to complain about a different regional usage like that.

Nellie, I used the term 'you lot' on GN but got into trouble from another Gnetter. It was meant to be an inclusive, friendly term but obviously not everyone thinks so!
Not always used in a friendly fashion, however, eg shouting at the DC years ago "You lot go and tidy your bedrooms!".

I had an Irish friend who used the term 'youse' instead of 'you'. I didn't realise it was used elsewhere in the British Isles.

A comedic report on the foolish staff who were all of a tizzy over nothing might have been a better idea.

Now that I would agree with.

None of us know if the gentleman concerned had any medical conditions that made it unwise for him to travel alone (which is the first thought that occurred to me when I saw it on the news); if I was a relative of his, I would be concerned that the 'care home' were a tad lacking in the care department if a resident could just up and leave.

It was nice to see that the gentleman, himself, seemed amused by all the fuss.

Holly, he just moved into the care home to live with his wife who needed care; he himself is fine and free to come and go as he pleases (or so I read in one report).

However, the staff were right to be concerned when he didn't return - the same as family would be concerned if he hadn't come home. He had told his wife what he was up to but thought he would be stopped if he told anyone else. To be fair to the staff, they had tried to get him onto a RBL official trip but had not managed to do so. Some reports were rather embellished, I think!

However, to described him as 'wilful' was rather ridiculous, I thought. 'Determined' yes, but wilful makes him sound like a naughty child.

rosequartz - thank you, I wasn't aware that he had moved in to be with his wife.

With the information you have given, I now blame him for not telling them! Why on earth didn't he just let them know he was off out?

Being determined was probably a good trait for him to have seventy-odd years ago too.

Maybe he didn't tell them as he feared they would be over-protective and try to stop him, just because he is a 'resident' of their home.