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[HillWilliam]

80. There are shades of distinction at least in my region

"Y'all" isn't at all a direct replacement for "you"-singular. There are lots of delicate, unspoken mores and customs. To deviate and use "y'all" as a direct replacement has a lot of (usually negative) implications. A couple of the few positive implications would be to invite someone and their SO or family into a social event: "Oh, it's so good to see you again. Say, would y'all to come over for supper on Saturday?" when addressing an individual would be considered a polite extended invitation. Conversely, "I know how y'all are" when addressing an individual is extremely rude, like an attempt to pigeonhole an individual with a less-desirable group.

In most cases, "you" is an abrupt singular: you and you alone. "Y'all" when speaking to one person can imply several situational connotations: it can be a more familiar "you" when intent is extended beyond the person being addressed. "Y'all have a great day" when addressing an individual, for instance on parting company, sends good wishes to their family and friends as well. In direct, one-to-one conversation, one would never address an individual as "y'all". That would be extremely bad manners. "You" implies that the person being addressed has the sole attention of the speaker. "Y'all" when having a one-on-one conversation is considered graceless and very bad manners, tantamount to stereotyping. "Y'all talk funny" is bigoted. "You talk funny" is still impolite, but it doesn't stereotype a person into some group.

I would never ask someone, for instance, "are y'all going to the picnic?" to imply that one individual. They may not want to have their family or other individuals to tag along. I would ask an individual "are y'all going to the picnic?" if I understood that they may be bringing company along with them.

Since I'm gay, I hear this distinction in usage a lot. If I were asked "Are you coming to the picnic" it would be understood that my partner is not invited (and I would politely decline in that case). If I were asked "Are y'all coming to the picnic" I would understand that my partner is invited as well. People are still at a loss on how to address or speak of same-sex partners. The distinction between "you" and "y'all" is miles wide. The connotations are well-understood. "Y'all" tells me that everything is ok, even if they can't say The Geh or know what to call my partner. I understand they're trying or maybe even cool.

But to address me as "you" in that sort of conversation makes it clear that the speaker is uncomfortable with my orientation and my appearance with my partner would be disruptive. It would connote "I'm only inviting you to be polite. I hope you'll decline." Indeed I would... and remember the slight.