QUOTE(pandy @ Feb 16 2010, 07:17 PM)

You have a point there. Wasn't that many years ago I learnt about that use of "they". I used to write it off as typo. Don't think I ever noticed it in spoken English before. Seems to be used in all English speaking countries though. Not totally sure about Britain, but the aussies do it too.
It is used in Britain, and I was never picked up by any of English teachers for doing so when I was at school so I assume it is correct use of the English language. There will naturally always be differences in written and spoken English from country to country. My biggest annoyance is having to type align="center" rather than the correct (to me) align="centre". It also annoys me that American English over uses the Z - for example immobiliser / immobilizer, realise / realize etc!