Talk:Handyperson

Handy person?

Why is this article named "Handyperson" when it only deals with handymen? And who on earth ever speaks of "handypersons"? I think this article should be named "Handyman". 85.224.199.36 22:07, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

I agree, who the heck ever says handyperson? A handicap perhaps? --Confederate till Death (talk) 10:33, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Agreed. Wikipedia is not a platform for trying to introduce politically correct neologisms into the language, and nobody ever uses the word "handyperson". I propose moving this to handyman. Include a note on the non-political correctness of the term if you like. Kwertii (talk) 04:28, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

"Handyperson" is not a neologism. It is listed at dictionary.com, as well as being listed as a variant of "handyman" in several other dictionaries. The word has nearly 300,000 google hits, so it's hardly being "introduced" on Wikipedia. According to the Manual of Style, gender-neutral language should be preferred wherever it does not interfere with clarity and precision. Its use here is consistent with that guideline. — Swpb^{t & c} 19:16, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

It's very very clunky English usage. If Google is the arbiter here, 'handyman' has over 11m hits. 92.233.117.147 (talk) 16:21, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

Google is not the arbiter. Wikipedia's own guidelines are. — Swpb^{τ • c} 22:50, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

I agree the title of this article should be "Handyman". Most handypersons are men; it's usually been a male-oriented occupation; almost all businesses which specialize in this work have the word handyman in them, such as "Mr. Handyman" or "Handyman Matters". And while the term "handypersons" or "handywoman" may begin catching on, it's still rare in usage. I think this article should be renamed "handyman", and have persons who search for "handywomen" or "handywoman" or "handypersons" or "handyperson" be redirected to the "Handyman" page. This is political-correctness gone amuk.--Tomwsulcer (talk) 17:21, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

Western-centric

The article notes that most jurisdictions forbid handymen from working on plumbing etc. Let's not forget that in many other parts of the word, legislation is not as strict and so handymen often end up working on many things. Many plumbers in many countries are not officially licensed but can do a good job. This is a western-centric article, as much of wikipedia is. It's attempt to maintain neutrality is foiled time and time again. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.146.18.153 (talk) 19:44, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Agree, generally, with your comment. Will keep this in mind in future revisions, thanks for saying this. If you live in a country other than the US, please add information about this topic from your perspective, and indicate it as such; I'd add this information, but I'm less acquainted with customs in other countries, but when I come across pertinent information from other countries, I'll include it as best I can. :) --Tomwsulcer (talk) 17:21, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

Disambiguation?

I think this needs a disambiguation link - I was looking for the James Taylor song! PMaranci (talk) 14:51, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

The song is at Handy Man. Searching for it by entering "handyperson" seems like too much of a stretch to me to justify a hatnote here. — Swpb^{τ • c} 23:06, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Good idea. Added wikilink. Done!--Tomwsulcer (talk) 17:29, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

Amateur handyman, affectionate term

In Denmark, the term handyman is used positively about a male who is an amateur, but still decently competent in fixing stuff around the home, such as assembling furniture, drilling, glueing, basic plumbing, basic electricals, and such. Many women desire this masculine trait in a man. Is this used in other countries? AlexanderM (talk) 10:35, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

In the US, the thinking is generally the same. There are positive connotations, but it's an amateur level, but someone who's competent, and liked, and respected (by women sometimes) for being competent.--Tomwsulcer (talk) 17:23, 27 October 2009 (UTC)