No Longer Ladies And Gentlemen...?

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Report below from today's Evening Standard. What are your thoughts? Is this a wise use of funds, or political correctness gone mad?

- - -

Transport workers across London have been told to stop using the words “ladies and gentlemen” in tannoy announcements to customers in a city-wide bid to become more gender-neutral.

Bosses at Transport for London told staff to use terms such as “good morning everyone” instead of the more traditional gendered greeting.

All new pre-recorded announcements are also set to be changed to new phrases.

If follows months of campaigning by LGBTQ+ activists who appealed to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to change the “outdated” language which is commonly used by train and bus drivers.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Revised phrasing will be applied"
Bernard Reed OBE, a trustee of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society which aims to improve the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people, welcomed the news.

A spokesman for charity Stonewall said: “Language is extremely important to the lesbian, gay, bi and trans community, and the way we use it can help ensure all people feel included.

“We welcome gender neutral announcements to be rolled out across TfL, as it will ensure that everyone – no matter who they identify as - feels accounted for.”


Equality campaigner and transgender woman Aimee Challenor, who pushed Mayor Sadiq Khan to take action in December last year, called it a “positive commitment from TfL” but that there still is confusion among staff over which terms to use.
Transport for London told the Standard they plan to work through the written guidance given to staff before reviewing and updating it "as quickly as we can".

Speaking at Mayor’s Question Time towards the end of last month, Mr Khan said: “Transport for London (TfL) serves a vibrant, diverse and multicultural city, and provision of an inclusive transport service is at the heart of TfL's purpose.

“I am aware however, that some customers may not relate to or feel comfortable with the way that certain station announcements are made.

“I am keen that TfL addresses these concerns by speaking in a more neutral way when referring to gender.

“TfL has briefed its staff on this, though from time to time, well-meaning staff may still use the term 'ladies and gentlemen'. If this happens frequently, TfL will issue reminders to staff.

“Revised phrasing will be applied to new pre-recorded announcements made across the network.”

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Full report here: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/transport-for-london-scraps-ladies-and-gentlemen-from-tannoy-announcements-in-genderneutral-move-a3586336.html

[albaqwerty]

well, Good Morning/Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen, LGBTQ's and Kiddies/children doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

Good Morning (or whatever) Everyone is much better, although they could say 'Greetings, Earthlings'

[jackthehat]

As you already know, this has been discussed at length here.....

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1527314.html

[albaqwerty]

never saw that Jack, thank you!

[ToraToraTora]

what a load of old pony

[Mamyalynne]

Said all I wanted to last time.

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat
/// As you already know, this has been discussed at length
here..... ///

If you are referring to the OP, how could he possibly know, Hazi has only been a member since May?

[Mamyalynne]

Because he answered on the linked thread.

[hereIam]

This country just gets dafter and dafter !

[Mamyalynne]

Oh it will ruin someone's day I'm sure.

[EcclesCake]

I can think of more pressing issues to worry about.

[Deskdiary]

I rather like "Good morning everyone", it sounds friendlier, so I think it's a change for the better, but I'd've rather that they had just simply introduced it rather than using 'gender non-conforming' people (or whatever the next fashionable description is going to be next week) as an excuse for doing so. It is pandering.

[Smowball]

How about "Howdee y'all?" : )

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Hello all. I believe some discussion was had before this actually was given the go-ahead. I fully agree that there are more pressing issues which is why I find it quite astonishing that the Mayor would bow to pressure groups because of some potential perceived injustice. Where will this end? As a gentleman, could I be offended that my rights to be addressed as such have now been infringed upon? I seriously worry about the direction this country is going in.

[jno]

As a gentleman

just make sure you behave like one, hazi.

The really annoying moment was when they decided passengers had to be referred to as customers, but that was years ago. I don't mind being an everyone. When people say "ladies and gentlemen" they are discriminating against vagabonds and trollops, who are neither but none the less are most of their "customers".

[Old_Geezer]

Humph. They always used to leave out the Lords and gentlewomen anyway.

[douglas9401]

The newest and most thriving industry seems to be interfering with stuff just to be seen to be busy.

Bloody control freakery from the freakiest.

[albaqwerty]

jno, what gets me/tickles me//irks me (I can't make my mind up) is claimants on benefits are called 'clients'
sheesh!
I always thought it was Lawyers/Prostitutes/Accountants who had clients....

[RobNorth]

Does this mean that Wimbledon will Be changing from "Ladies Champlonship" and "Gentlemens Championship"?
I don't think so...this and other PC rubbish has only snowballed because so many organisations today are run by incompetent wimps.

[jourdain2]

I much prefer to be addressed as a Lady - as in 'Ladies and Gentlemen'. I find that I am withdrawing more and more from the horrors that the 'modern' p.c. sensitive ideas are chucking out. Thank goodness that I live in the real world.