I always use the word "Viech" or "Viechle" (the twee version), which can be translated as "creature", but it's a colloquialism. I think I call almost everything and everyone a creature (or sometimes thingy), for example video game/film characters or living persons.
It was yesterday that, during the PE lesson, I said to a friend, "Those dancing creatures, where are they?" (I meant the dancing group). She looked at me as if I was crazy.

However, most people know that I don't want to affront anyone, so it's ok.
Besides, I like "well" and "you know" and "(in)appropriate", but I don't get to use the last one very often, although I try hard. Too bad.