I hear you. My problem with “folks” is that it made its appearance in the news media right around the time Obama got elected. You’ll notice he uses the word a lot, I guess to sound earthy or something. It’s a clear case of the media aping their hero in my opinion.
I’ve used the word folks all of my life. I don’t know where I picked it up but I have been coast to coast and border to border. I don’t say boy and girls when I am speaking to the men and the ladies.