Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, 2017, Countryside,
Washington.

I am fully aware that Emily Post is no longer alive; however, for those interested, there is actually an Emily Post site: http://emilypost.com/.  But I have a funny feeling that those who read this are not in need of that site and those who should read it, will never read it. Despite the site, Miss Manners must have flown the coop! I am extremely tired of being addressed as a “guy!”

I went to a US Cellular store in Menomonee Falls with my friend. She wanted to buy an I-phone and asked me to accompany her. We both are senior people and there were three other women with similar ages in the store. It is a small store. We walked in and the Customer Representative, who was male, shouted out, “Hi, guys, what can I do for you?”

I stood for a moment in silence. You do realize this is a pet peeve of mine and I have refrained from expressing my true feelings more times than I can count. Then my mouth opened, “First of all, we are not “guys!” and secondly, we would like to see your I-phones.”

Of course, the young man looked bewildered but sensed I was annoyed and apologized. We then proceeded to buy the phone.

On another occasion, I was dining with my daughter. The waitress came to our table and say, “Hi, guys! Here’s the menu!” Not wanting to embarrass my daughter, I was silent, but raging inside!

I could give countless stories that illustrate these phenomena of young people rolling off their tongues, “H, guys!”   I know we live in another age. I know politeness seems to have disappeared. I see young women being exploited at every turn–in fashion and in speech.

Is it too late to turn back the tide on this expression?

I thought it might be a regional thing in Wisconsin, but somehow the expression followed me to Fairhaven, Washington,  on the West coast this past June.

Am I the only person who feels this way? Am I being overly sensitive? What happened to the identity of women?

Perhaps I should book myself for the next flight to Mars and help colonize a new civilization.  Parents could be given an e-book site or manual with proper etiquette as they leave the birthing center.