I'm influenced by the hippy generation of the 60s, although I grew up in the 70s it was still accepted parlance to use terms like "man" when referring to a casual acquaintance as in, "nice to meet you man" or "thanks for that man".

I'm having a beer in a small East Van "saloon" and I've just come to the realization that my server is either a rocker with guy-liner and painted nails or they might be transitioning. I thank my server each time, "thank you man", I say with no ill intent but wonder, has this salutation now become inappropriate?

I'm not hip with the new lingo and would probably sound ridiculous trying to use it. So I'm at a crossroads where words no longer serve my purpose, yet I want to express my appreciation.

I guess, I'll resort to prayer hands and a slight bow from now on. That is until my ethnicity garners this as cultural appropriation and forboden.

Help navigating the #matrix is appreciated 😷