Well, I've stumbled on another thing that requires considerable thought, and perhaps some unlearning.
For years, I've been using the pronouns 'Dude' and 'You guys' to refer equally to both sexes - i.e., I come up to a group of three female coworkers and say, "Hey, what'cha guys doin?" Or hearing a bit of good news that happened to a female subordinate (getting selected as a candidate for employee of the quarter, say,) saying, appreciatively, "DU-U-UDE!".
Again, in my mind, the gender reference is vestigal.
Until now...
I was at my first TG/TS support meeting last night, and was invited by two of the members to go to the TS-friendly bar across the street. They suggested I go on ahead. I said, "Nah, I'll wait for you guys..." (<cringe>!!!Oh F#<% Oh S#!^ Oh Dear -- What did I just say???)
The dilemma seems to be to bow to yet another form of Politically Correct speaking, or risk offending others...
I guess faux pas's are to be expected...
Karen
Up here where I live I too have caught myself in similar situations. However it doesn't seem to be such a big deal though as I've heard females referring to other females as "Hey guys" or "Hey you guys" and I don't believe that any one was offended. Personally I have never heard a girl refer to another girl as "Dude" but who the heck can keep up with all the latest lingo these days. Bad means good, and wicked means great/awesome etc... :)
I do try and make a point of referring to females "Hey you girls", "Hey you ladies", and if it's a mixed group I use "Guys" or "Folks". Given our situation I just think that we maybe more sensitive to these issues now.
Just my .02
Steph
I've never used 'dude' that way (or any other way, for that matter), but I use 'guys' to refer to both sexes all the time, and never had anyone take offense. I can see it being a problem in the singular ("Hey, guy, what's up?"), but I think it's okay as long as you are using it in the plural ("I'll meet you guys there").
Just don't follow it up with "Okay, gentlemen?" ;D
Annie
My very recent experience has included two twenty-something female roommates; it is usual for these girls to call pretty much everyone 'dude'; also in clearly PC and *sensitive* Berkeley, where the waitress knows, ok? no prob., for the girls and in-between me to be called 'you guys'.
Dood.
Just explain that you would have said the same thing if they were GGs. :)
I used to know a GG who, in IM chat, would use "dude!" as an interjection. Well, after I came out to her we discussed it and agreed that it was okay since she used it around other women anyways. This of course earned me the nickname Dudette. :D
I've considered this myself and I suspect that a group of GG's would have no problems with being called "you guys" but a group of transwomen might!
So, I suppose the context of the conversation, who I was talking to, would make a difference how I would put it. Not so different from any other situation, though, I always try to consider who I'm talking to before I speak. Doesn't always work though, which is why I once said to two female coworkers who were complaining about mood swings (I'm not really out at work!), "Ahh, hormones. I can't wait!"
*priceless*
helen
Personally I don't get offended, because I ask myself whether they are saying that out of habit or just to spite me. In just about every circumstance it is out of habit.
Melissa
Thanks for all your advice, so far.
It's new territory, with new rules (at least for me ;) .)
Karen
In my classroom, I use "Ladies and Gentlemen. Boys and girls. And everyone else in between."
It usually gets a giggle. I don't believe that nay of my students realize that I am including myself in the "inbetween."
Chaunte