What to Say Instead of Hey Guys Inclusive Alternatives for Group Greetings

“Hey guys” often slips out without much thought. For many people, it feels friendly and familiar. For others, it can feel like a small signal that they are being folded into a default that does not quite include them.

The good news is simple: you do not need a perfect script or a new personality. You just need a few natural alternatives that fit the moment.

Inclusive group greetings such as “everyone,” “folks,” “team,” “colleagues,” “friends,” and “all” are easy to use, widely understood, and avoid gendered phrasing. They work in messages, classrooms, community groups, workplaces, events, and everyday conversation.

Inclusive greetings work best when they sound natural in real life.

Why people are moving away from “hey guys”

“Guys” has long been used as a casual way to address a mixed group, especially in English-speaking countries. Many people use it with no intent to exclude anyone.

Intent matters, but so does impact.

For some listeners, “guys” still sounds male-coded. That can be especially true for women, non-binary people, trans people, and anyone who has often been left out by default language. Even if the speaker means “everyone,” the phrase may not land that way.

This does not mean every use of “hey guys” is rude. It means there are better choices when the goal is to make a group feel welcomed.

Small wording changes can do a lot. A greeting is often the first line of an email, chat, lesson, rehearsal, volunteer shift, or social event. It sets the tone before anything else happens.

Compare these:

Less inclusive	More inclusive
Hey guys, can you gather round?	Hi everyone, can you gather round?
Right, guys, let’s get started.	Right, folks, let’s get started.
Thanks, guys.	Thanks, all.
Morning, guys.	Morning, team.
Guys, quick question.	Quick question for everyone.

The second versions do the same job. They just include more people without asking anyone to translate the greeting in their head.

The best everyday alternatives to “hey guys”

The easiest replacement is the one that already sounds like something you would say. If a word feels forced, you probably will not stick with it. Start with two or three that fit your voice.

“Everyone” works almost anywhere

“Everyone” is clear, warm, and neutral. It is one of the safest choices because it names the whole group without sounding stiff.

Use it when you want to address any mixed group:

• Hi everyone.

• Morning, everyone.

• Thanks, everyone.

• Can everyone hear me?

• Everyone, let’s pause for a moment.

  
  

It works in casual and formal settings. It also suits both spoken and written communication.

If you are unsure what to say instead of hey guys, “everyone” is usually the simplest answer.

“Folks” sounds friendly and relaxed

“Folks” is casual, warm, and common in many varieties of English. It can sound slightly softer than “everyone” and less formal than “colleagues.”

Try it in relaxed settings:

• Hi folks.

• Thanks, folks.

• Alright, folks, shall we begin?

• Folks, here’s the plan for today.

• Lovely to see you, folks.

  
  

Some people love it. Some find it a bit folksy, as the word suggests. That is fine. Use it if it feels natural for you and suits the group.

“Team” is useful when people are working together

“Team” does not have to mean a workplace team. It can mean any group working towards a shared goal.

It works well for:

• project groups

• sports teams

• volunteers

• event crews

• classes doing group work

• families organising a task

• community groups

  
  

Examples:

• Morning, team.

• Great work, team.

• Team, quick update.

• Thanks for your help today, team.

• Let’s reset, team.

  
  

“Team” can sound encouraging, but it may feel odd if the group has no shared purpose. You probably would not say “team” to strangers waiting for a train. In that case, “everyone” or “folks” fits better.

“Colleagues” suits professional or formal situations

“Colleagues” is more formal than “team.” It works well when speaking to people in a professional, academic, or organisational context.

Examples:

• Good morning, colleagues.

• Dear colleagues.

• Thank you, colleagues.

• Colleagues, we have a few updates.

• Welcome, colleagues.

  
  

It can sound too formal for a group chat with friends, but it is helpful for emails, panels, committees, training sessions, and cross-organisation groups.

“Friends” can be warm when the relationship fits

“Friends” is kind, but context matters. It works best when the group has a warm or community-based relationship.

Examples:

• Hi friends.

• Thanks, friends.

• Friends, shall we make a start?

• Welcome, friends.

• Good to see you, friends.

  
  

It can feel odd if the group is not actually friendly or familiar. In a serious workplace message, “friends” may sound too intimate. Use it when it reflects the mood.

A few prepared phrases can make inclusive language easier to remember.

Alternatives by situation

The best greeting depends on who you are speaking to, how well you know them, and what is happening. A phrase that works in a friendly WhatsApp group may not suit a formal email.

For casual conversation

Casual speech should still sound like you. These options are easy swaps:

• Hi everyone.

• Hey folks.

• Hello all.

• Morning, all.

• Thanks, everyone.

• Alright, folks?

• Good to see you all.

  
  

“Hey all” can work in writing, though some people find it a little abrupt when spoken. “Hi all” is common in emails and group chats.

If you are greeting close friends, you can also use playful terms, as long as they suit the group:

• lovely people

• pals

• friends

• gang

• crew

  
  

Use care with words like “gang” or “crew.” They can be friendly in one group and awkward in another. The point is not to swap one automatic phrase for another. The aim is to choose language that fits the people in front of you.

For work messages and emails

For a more professional tone, keep it simple.

Good options include:

• Hi everyone.

• Hello all.

• Dear colleagues.

• Good morning, team.

• Thanks, all.

• Thank you, everyone.

• Hello everyone, I hope you are well.

  
  

For email openings, “Hi everyone” is often the most reliable. It is warm without being too casual.

For a more formal message, use “Dear colleagues” or “Hello everyone.” For a quick internal update, “Hi all” or “Morning, team” can be enough.

A few examples:

Hi everyone, Please send your comments by Thursday afternoon so we can update the document before Friday.

Good morning, team, A quick reminder that the venue has changed for this afternoon’s session.

Dear colleagues, Thank you for your feedback on the draft guidance.

These lines are clear, inclusive, and easy to read.

For teaching, training, or group facilitation

If you are leading a class, workshop, fitness session, youth group, community event, or hobby group, your greeting helps shape the room.

Try:

• Welcome, everyone.

• Good morning, everyone.

• Come in and take a seat, folks.

• Let’s gather round.

• Thanks for joining us, all.

• When everyone is ready, we’ll begin.

• Can I have everyone’s attention for a moment?

  
  

You can also skip the group label altogether:

• Let’s make a start.

• We’ll begin in two minutes.

• Please take a seat when you’re ready.

• Thanks for being here.

• Great to see such a full room.

  
  

This often sounds smoother than replacing “guys” with one fixed word every time.

For customer service and public-facing roles

When speaking to customers, guests, passengers, or members of the public, inclusive language should be clear and respectful.

Useful options include:

• Hello everyone.

• Welcome, everyone.

• Thanks for waiting.

• Can I help the next person?

• Thank you all for your patience.

• Please follow me this way.

• We’ll be with you shortly.

  
  

Avoid guessing the group’s relationship. “Family,” “ladies,” “gents,” “boys,” and “girls” may not fit. Neutral wording is easier and safer.

When you do not need a group label at all

One of the simplest changes is to remove the address entirely. Many sentences work better without it.

Instead of:

• Hey guys, can we start?

• Guys, listen up.

• Thanks, guys.

• Guys, what do you think?

  
  

Try:

• Can we start?

• Listen up for a moment, please.

• Thanks so much.

• What do you think?

  
  

This is especially useful if you find yourself overusing filler words at the start of sentences. Cutting the label can make you sound clearer and more confident.

It also helps when no single greeting fits the situation. If you are addressing a changing group of people, a public space, or people you do not know, the cleanest sentence may be the best one.

The right greeting depends on the relationship and the setting.

Phrases to use with care

Not every alternative is equally inclusive. Some words solve one problem while creating another.

“Ladies and gentlemen”

This phrase is traditional in formal settings, but it leaves out people who are not men or women. It can also sound old-fashioned.

Better options:

• Welcome, everyone.

• Good evening, everyone.

• Distinguished guests.

• Friends and guests.

• Members and visitors.

  
  

“Boys and girls”

This is common in schools and children’s activities, but it is still gendered. It also may not suit older children, who can find it patronising.

Better options:

• Everyone.

• Class.

• Year 4.

• Readers.

• Artists.

• Scientists.

• Team.

  
  

Activity-based names can be useful with children. “Writers, pencils down” or “Explorers, gather round” can feel playful without splitting the group by gender.

“Lads” or “girls”

These words can be affectionate within some groups, but they are not neutral. They can exclude people or make assumptions about gender.

Better options:

• Mates.

• Friends.

• Folks.

• Everyone.

• All.

  
  

“Mates” is common in UK English and can sound natural in relaxed settings. It is still informal, so keep the context in mind.

“You people”

This phrase often sounds cold or accusatory, even when that is not the aim. It can also carry a history of othering.

Better options:

• Everyone here.

• This group.

• All of you.

• People in this session.

• Those who are waiting.

  
  

The warmer option is usually better.

How to change the habit without sounding awkward

If “hey guys” is part of your everyday speech, changing it can feel clumsy at first. That is normal. Habits sit in muscle memory.

Start small.

Pick one replacement for spoken conversation and one for writing. For example:

• Spoken greeting

“Hi everyone.”

• Written greeting

“Hi all.”

Practise using those for a week. Do not try to rewrite every sentence in your head. Just notice the moments when “guys” would usually appear and swap in your chosen phrase.

If you slip up, correct lightly and move on:

• “Hey guys, sorry, hi everyone.”

• “Thanks, guys, thanks all.”

• “Right, folks, let’s start.”

  
  

There is no need for a long apology. A quick correction shows care without making the moment bigger than it needs to be.

If someone points out that a phrase felt excluding, respond with openness:

• “Thanks for telling me. I’ll use ‘everyone’ from now on.”

• “I appreciate the reminder.”

• “Good point, I’ll change that.”

  
  

That kind of response builds trust. It shows that inclusion is practical, not performative.

A quick guide to choosing the right greeting

Use this as a simple reference when you are not sure what fits.

Situation	Good options
Any mixed group	Hi everyone, hello everyone, thanks all
Friendly casual group	Hey folks, hi friends, good to see you all
Shared task or project	Morning team, thanks team, great work everyone
Formal work or academic setting	Dear colleagues, good morning colleagues, hello everyone
Public announcement	Welcome everyone, thank you for waiting, please gather round
Children or learning group	Class, everyone, readers, artists, explorers
When unsure	Everyone, all, or no group label

The safest all-purpose choices are “everyone” and “all.” They are short, neutral, and hard to misread.

The wording should match the welcome

Inclusive language is not about memorising a list of approved phrases. It is about making everyday speech match the welcome you mean to give.

“Hey guys” may feel harmless to the speaker, but there are easy alternatives that reach more people. “Hi everyone” takes the same amount of time. “Thanks all” is even shorter. “Folks,” “team,” “colleagues,” and “friends” give you different levels of warmth and formality.

Names and neutral greetings both help people feel recognised.

A good greeting does three things. It gets attention, sets the tone, and helps people feel included. If one phrase does all three, use it. If it does not, choose another.

The easiest next step is to pick one phrase and use it today.

Try “Hi everyone” for the next group message, “thanks all” when someone helps, and “folks” when you want a warmer casual tone. After a short while, the new words will stop feeling new. They will just feel like good manners.