Is the reference 'you guys' universal, or just the States?

I picked up the "you guys" expression watching the old Ozzie and Harriet shows when I was a kid. I still say it sometimes. It's sort of gotten ingrained. I'm pretty sure it's just an American thing but not positive. (How could you get more American than Ozzie & Harriet? LOL)

Here in Ireland, unless you are dealing with the rugby set who do use, 'you guys', you get 'the lads'. I have several English friends who also use 'lads', but I don't know if it is because it's a learned behavior from living here. They have also started calling girls, 'ladettes'. In France and Belgium, you will get 'les gar' for 'les garcons' (the men).

It is a difficult thing to decide, people sounds like you are picking on a race. I can remember growing up my very bigoted and raciest parents and grandparents spoke about those people. They used racial slurs and names that make me blush in shame, So yes I do use you guys and to me it feels like I am addressing mostly friends. with a stranger or two mixed in. To me it is a friendly greeting, But that is just my feelings and my thoughts and I am sure there are people that may be offended by it.

The origin of that phrase comes from New Jersey. I grew up there and it started as "yous guys" as a slang for you guys when referring to our male friends. Before you knew it you would here it being used in a cross gender reference. Then it evolved to "you guys" by the rest of the nation. Because the U.S. is a trend setter and rule breaker, it spread internationally. Back in Jersey guys of all backgrounds still refer to each other as "yous guys."