Being called a 'Guy'

Language changes. It can't be controlled. I quite like guys. That it has become gender neutral maybe shows a positive trend. I suppose the female form was doll once, as in guys and dolls. Some older Scottish men still use the word doll to address women. I don't really mind. As people say, if it is being said in a friendly way.
Words that irritate me are fur babies and hubby. But I feel it is unfair of me.

Hate it ! Nor do I like being called Sweetie !

I don't like it in a reasonably formal setting -- the waiter (and it's usually a bloke) is liable to get a reply from me along the lines of 'It's Mrs Sharpe to you, sonny' .
In a pub and addressing a mixed group it's ok ....ish.

I don’t mind being called guys when out with my friends. Prefer it to ladies.

I really don't think it is a big thing to worry about. Language evolves and it is the younger generation that usually drive the changes. The funniest reply I had in a restaurant was after we had all placed our orders the young waiter said 'Legend'! and went off to the kitchen. LOL.

I agree. Really irritates me but worse is when a young man or woman in a shop or restaurant calls me ‘dear’ and says ‘bless you’. I give them the hard stare with a fixed smile.

I always refer to my grandchildren (three girls, one boy) as ‘the guys’. I used to defer to my three children (two girls, one boy) in the same way. I think it sounds bright and friendly and not too formal. I wouldn’t mind at all if someone included me when using that term. Actually at 67, I’d think it rather funny!

Myself and others use this at work, (mainly woman) it included the little children dren then to, the boys and girls, I don't mind it, tbh

I prefer that to "girls"! At 74 it is a long time since I was a girl and I find it patronising.

I work in a predominantly male environment, and am often called Mate, not keen, but not offended either.

Many (many) years ago the lady I worked with always came in to the office in the mornings with a cheery ‘hi guys’ she was lovely and no one cared.

It’s never bothered me.

There's an American expression which I expect many of you hate, but I think it's apt..
"Don't sweat the small stuff"

Of course there are nanna8 but we can still chat about little annoyances.🙂
I think calling females guy sounds weird.
I am still a girl at times.

As long as a greeting is cheerful and friendly I don't much mind what I'm called - I like the inclusive feel of 'guys' now that it has become a gender-neutral term in everyday speech.

I did giggle at being called 'duck' recently.

I do agree MOnica; teflon shoulders have their uses at times and make for a much smoother life.

I suppose some of us, (I obviously include me) thought we were just chatting about words and phrases we don't like.
It doesn't impact on our lives!

I think we should have a quiet place to converse without people thinking we ate overly troubled.

There are whole lists of things I don't much like to be truthful -
The American term for behind "in back"
"Can I get" at a restaurant
"my truth"
"No offense, but.."
"Epic"
"Preggers"
"literally"

I could probably think of more.

I just think we should stop taking exception to every little thing and just let things flow over.

It is a bad habit that i assume parents have picked up from adult children, taking exception to anything, no matter, how trivial, that anyone says that does not accord totally with their value set.

Being called or referred to as 'guys' has been around so long I got used to it decades ago, it has never bothered me at all. Although I don't think I have ever used it myself. However I do say 'girls' quite a lot and now I'm thinking perhaps I shouldn't as it does seem to be very unpopular terminology?

I get "dude" and "bro" sometimes- they make me crack up

PS I got called 'pal' today by someone delivering something to us. It's a local usage and doesn't bother me in the slightest even though, technically, I'm not his pal and neither are most of the other people he uses that sobriquet for.

RM, yes. People think too much about words and not enough about the meaning of the words used. Tone and context matter too.

So, yeah, complaining does come across as 'gow'-ish.

I've noticed DD1 always refers to her close friend group as "my mates". This is a similar word usage that some might object to but everyone – even disapprovers – knows what the 'word usage' means. and that's what counts.

RosiesMaw I agree with you.

I do and I entirely agree.

Let’s be more precise.
OP has not been called “a guy” but was in a group addressed as “you guys”
It may be a tiny difference, but I think it is significant.
If a server were to refer to me as “this guy” as in”this guy ordered a latte “ I would take exception, I am not a guy.
However “Hi guys, “ “or what can I get you guys” is not the same thing, but an informal, friendly greeting and one I like.
Does anybody else see what I am getting at?

If, by putting my mind to it, and eschewing all casual conversation, or touching on profane subjects I could resolve the current conflict in the middle east, or the Ukrainian war, I would.

But I can't. Meanwhile my ordinary everyday life goes on, and, while being called 'guys' worries me not, other things do - and those are the things that I am actually experiencing in my everyday life.

On the front line when being bombed, or cowering in a safe room, praying not to be killed, I am sure no one is talking about the irritation of being called 'guys'. But thankfully for most of us that is not our situation and it is these little things that are the grit in our oysters.

Quokka

NotSpaghetti

Quokka, I don't think anyone is "worrying" about it.

Venting about it then?

Quokka, this topic is on the "CHAT" forum.

In spite of everything that's happening in the world - and here at home- people do still just chat.

The fact there's a few pages of comments on the matter doesn't mean that anyone's overly concerned about it - people just like to have their say. I doubt anyone on here is actually 'worried' about the matter.

I bet those commenting are worried about the more serious 'things' you seem to think they should be focusing on. But no one can live life on that razor's edge all the time. So can we just be left to chat about the inconsequential things without being chided for it?

Still, at least you didn't say... "first-world problems" .