RE: guys != gender neutral

["Keith Medcalf" <kmedcalf () dessus com>]

Ugly bags of mostly water?


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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Otis L. Surratt, Jr. [mailto:otis () ocosa com]
> Sent: Friday, 28 September, 2012 05:33
> To: nanog () nanog org
> Subject: RE: guys != gender neutral
>
> Maybe the OP for "really nasty attacks" in hindsight wishes "NANOGers" was
> used instead to address the list. :)
>
> Having "all walks of life" essentially all around, it really makes one
> careful to truly think before speaking. Sometimes we miss this with
> everything we have going on, but no one is perfect.
>
> The bottomline is, no one can really sastifisfy any indivdual and their
> preference of how they would liked to be addressed. If one is to be offended
> or looks for offense they will capitalize on it period. I try much as
> possible to avoid those situations.
>
> When we refer to our clients in a mass communication we either utilize our
> tools to auto fix their name to the letter or we address them as "OCOSA
> Family" or "All" or "Clients".  We are a very family-oriented business and
> are "down to Earth." We'd like to believe our clients are apart of our family
> and some may take offense but you might or never would know unless an
> opportunity presented itself.
>
> Personally, I practice using the person's name, I am in communication
> with...not "buddy", "bud", "pal", "man", "guys", "gal" "y'all" and etc. When
> addressing mixed gender groups, I simply speak or address as "all". Thus, no
> mistakes.
>
> When addressing both genders you have to be extremely careful. Ultimately, It
> depends on the audience and treating all with respect seems to work for me.
>
> For example: You could address a group a men and call them "boys". Well, that
> might offend some, especially if they are older than you.
> For example: You could address a group of young adults and call them "kids".
> Well, that might offend some.
>
> As Owen mentioned saying "human" seems okay and true but then again, because
> it's not the norm it raises some question. (Internal thinking process, "Oh
> I'm a HUMAN!!!!, well I that is true" then your temperature gets back to
> normal) :)
>
> In general, this is life and I simply have fun and enjoy it because it's too
> short.
>
>
> Otis