[pruetj]

Interesting on the “y’all”. I’m a Texan and have never addressed a singular person as y’all. If I do address a person as y’all as in “How are y’all doing?”, it’s assumed I’m speaking of the family unit that person belongs to rather than the individual.

While we Texans might find it polite or friendly, in the corporate world I’ve been told to avoid using it in emails.

[verditelabs]

I think you're right about the implicit group/family aspect in many cases. If I'm taking to one friend and say "how are y'all doing" then that friend's family or ingroup is certainly implied in the question.

The singular polite "y'all" I'm referring to is generally used when the other party is not known. F.ex. I regularly, though certainly not always, hear clerks, waiters, or other service industry workers using "y'all" singularly when asking "what can I get y'all to eat" or "y'all need anything else" when speaking to exactly one person, and I use it that way myself.

[pruetj]

Ah, got it. I know what you are referring to now. Yea, it is seen in hospitality more often.

[pessimizer]

> it’s assumed I’m speaking of the family unit that person belongs to rather than the individual.

I think this is the formal singular "y'all" that people keep referring to. It can sometimes be short for "you and your family," which is why you would see it in greetings and goodbyes e.g. "How are y'all doing today" or "I hope to see y'all again soon."

For signs of formality, it has the indirection of not addressing the person directly (like "your grace" "your honor" or "your mercy"), and is usually used as an stylized expression of concern. To my ear, "How was y'all's holidays?" sounds really professional, like how your lawyer would start a meeting.

[stavros]

Contrarily, I use it more and more in work contexts, as it's the most convenient second person plural you can use.

[euroderf]

I'm from the Northeast and once in a while I'll use "y'all" as an informal plural. It tends to bring a smile to the people being addressed. Perhaps it is understood as a reference to its use in the movies.