I think this goes in hand with the hooey that you shouldn't have QSO's on 6.52. Everyone is just supposed to understand that "monitoring" is equivalent to saying "CQ" but in a more sophisticated way? My solution is to say what I want - "Anybody around for a contact" or "Could I get a signal check please" works wonders. You can always tell the noobs, "This is KA1XYZ, monitoring", trying desperately not to screw up and say something not ARRL approved. Sometimes I'll go back and ask what they're monitoring for, maybe I've heard it. Nothing formal or exclusive going on 2M anywhere I've been, just get on, talk like regular people and have fun.
Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM