Among Friends

[Noel7]

IMO it's the intent that matters, and it's pretty easy to tell if someone is being sarcastic.

A lot of people are raised hearing that kind of recognition, they mean no harm.  I think it's kind of a nice thing in the dog-eat-dog society we live in today.

[Ms X]

That doesn't bother me.  If they don't know me, I don't think they'd have some kind of ulterior motive behind it.  I never give it a second thought.

[arubakathy]

I remember one time I was speaking to two older cousins and justsaid, "come you guys I'll show you what they got". Well, one of the cousins said, "were not guys, were ladies". lol

[Noel7]

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@arubakathy wrote:

I remember one time I was speaking to two older cousins and justsaid, "come you guys I'll show you what they got". Well, one of the cousins said, "were not guys, were ladies". lol

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@arubakathy

You were correct.  "Guys" plural can mean males, females or a mixed group.

1. Informal A man; a fellow.

2. guys Informal Persons of either sex.

[Moonchilde]

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@arubakathy wrote:

I remember one time I was speaking to two older cousins and justsaid, "come you guys I'll show you what they got". Well, one of the cousins said, "were not guys, were ladies". lol

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@arubakathy

You were correct.  "Guys" plural can mean males, females or a mixed group.

1. Informal A man; a fellow.

2. guys Informal Persons of either sex.

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I just have never, ever gotten some peoples' ire at this. The expression was used, to mean "everyone present" (of either sex), as far back as 1962 or thereabouts. 

[CAcableGirl2]

What irks me is when a grown man calls me "kiddo"!  I am in my mid 50's and older than he is.  On the same note, I had a clerk ask me if I wanted the senior discount a few years ago.  I guess to a 18 year old, I must be a senior!

[cecesnana]

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@Noel7 wrote:

IMO it's the intent that matters, and it's pretty easy to tell if someone is being sarcastic.

A lot of people are raised hearing that kind of recognition, they mean no harm.  I think it's kind of a nice thing in the dog-eat-dog society we live in today.

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Your post pretty much fits what I was thinking @Noel7. As long as people are being friendly I don't mind or really think about the words in this thread like "sweetie" etc.

[KarenQVC]

@jewel3  That is a good point.  At my last visit with the geriatrician, she parted ways by saying "keep drinking."  Some people are more aware of the dangers of dehydration.