September Topic: What words when used make you cringe? Have you considered your word choices carefully when speaking to others? Examples: Gender pronouns, slang terms, etc.
By Ceone Leistner with ENJO Canada
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GUYS. It’s a simple word, right? How often do you use the word “Guys?”
This little word drives me crazy!! It’s like fingers on a chalkboard for me. I am not a guy, I don’t have those body parts. Being called a guy literally causes me to turn off from what you are saying, regardless of how important it may be.
People say it is generic, but let me ask you this….. how would you react as a male if I grouped you all as “Ladies?” See, when you think about it from the other side, it changes things, right? Most of the time you don’t need to even use the term. It has become a habit. Habits can be broken!!
As a business person, you need to consider the effect that the words you use have on others, including your customers. You may literally be turning business away (like mine)! Just because something isn’t offensive to you doesn’t mean that it isn’t for others. You also cannot assume based on what you see (consider those that are transitioning).
Do you feel like you must use a term? What about “People” or “Peeps” or something like that? Something truly gender-neutral and nonbinary… Be inclusive, not discriminatory. My friends quickly learned that this wasn’t something I was going to just get over and soon started saying “Guys and Ceone” which I was fine with. Why? The rest of them were males so the term fit for them. Once I explained why it bothered me so much they understood and started making the adjustments.
I challenge you to actually pay attention to what you are saying. Maybe record yourself on video? Ask someone for input. Changing a few terms may truly help your business and who doesn’t want that?
And don’t get me started on “Chicks.”
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