I think it's still fine as a direct address, "Hi folks!" or other similar usages. It only grates on me when used to refer to a generic, unspecific, "<x group> folks" set of unnamed people. Usually also when the speaker claims to be speaking on their behalf.
"Hi" is no good. Too corporate speak. "Hiya folks" invokes old Donald Duck, which ironically is pure corporate speak, but seems much less currently-sanitized.
I think it's still fine as a direct address, "Hi folks!" or other similar usages. It only grates on me when used to refer to a generic, unspecific, "<x group> folks" set of unnamed people. Usually also when the speaker claims to be speaking on their behalf.
I get what you're saying, but I think the word's pretty suspect on its own by this point, too, sadly. Even "Hi folks!" sends up red flags.
"Hi" is no good. Too corporate speak. "Hiya folks" invokes old Donald Duck, which ironically is pure corporate speak, but seems much less currently-sanitized.
"Hydra Folks" is where its at.
Don't asshole wokies spell it "folx"?