I admit that I use "guys" when addressing a whole group of people.

For example, I recently changed cellular phones and sent a note to all of my clients. I had two categories...the uptight and the fun ones.

For the fun ones, I started the e-mail with "Hi guys" even though many are women. Even when the group is all women, I tend to say, hi guys.

It's not new though. I remember everybody using this expression in highschool too.


In French Québec, we'll still identify the gender. We'll say, aye les girls OR aye les boys. Yes, with the words girls and boys said in English.