Words for Women

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Very simply, I'm a little confused on this issue. Some women seem to take offence to the word 'Lady'. Is it always wrong to use that, should I just always use woman instead, or is it contextually dependent? What about 'Girl'? Any advices? Cheers gang.

What context are you using it and to whom? I've never been offended by being called a lady. I actually like "lady" lol but Demetri Martin made a joke that it's creepy to call girls "ladies" like "what's up ladies" haha. I like to refer to myself as a young woman, girl, whatever lady etc. I think that it's fine to refer to a woman as a lady. I ptefer Lolita but that's because it fits my personality haha

Some women object to 'lady' because they believe it demands that women behave in a lady-like way, knowing her place and never rocking the boat or challenging the authority of a man. I don't know many women who think about it that much or associate it with that negative connotation. Personally, I prefer 'woman' but 'lady' doesn't offend me. On the other hand, 'girl' implies immaturity and dependence on someone else just by the definition, and it does bother me for the same reason that no grown man wants to be called a boy.

I'm on the opposite I don't mind "Girl" and I think Lady is too formal/mature. Little girl I'd take wrong (I'm 25 so not "little") But something such as "You're a smart girl." or something using girl in that context giving me praise I'd accept. I hate "girl" as used to describe immaturity. We as Aspies (some of us NOT all) seem to be emotionally immature so we are girls/boys and not mature woman/men. In some cases. (sorry to offend.)

It's a no-win. Some like "lady", some don't. Some like "miss", some don't. Some like "Ms.", some don't. Some like "Mrs.", some don't. Some like "ma'am", some don't. Some like "girl", some don't. Some like "woman", some don't. Some like "woman" if it's spelled "womyn", others find that spelling irritating. Some don't mind "chicks", "gal", "doll", "sweetheart", "honey", "baby girl", "sweet cheeks", "sugar tits" and whatever else, others do mind.

Some women don't even want a stranger asking them for the time, much less trying to find a nameless gender-specific term to address them with.

I can only tell you what's acceptable for me, which is only valid for communication with me. That doesn't do you much good for the millions of other women in the world. You just have to keep a good attitude, be respectful and accept that not everyone is going to like what you say, even when you're really not saying anything wrong.

Agree with what LisaPizza said.

The word 'lady' can imply that you believe women should act in a lady-like way - seen and not heard, that women who are opinionated or sexual are worth less than those who are prim and proper, it ties into class but also very much about how women should behave. I can't think of many occasions where you would use such a term as 'lady' outside of addressing someone in an upper class or using it in a mocking sense e.g. 'You young lady are a very naughty girl' said by the husband to the wife in the schoolgirl costume, or 'lady of the night'. I hear it sometimes from parents telling their young children not to knock the lady, but amongst adults I do think if not offensive to many then certainly it may give the wrong impression.

Girl is definitely a no-no in my book, again sometimes in a mocking sense it is appropriate, but it does very much imply immaturity - and in the same way as 'lady' it is a term used to undermine women - it is the same as a man being called 'boy'. Woman works for me.

Must try sugar tits out.



Okay, trial and error it is. I'm getting really good at apologising, so it's not a big deal

The reason I ask is because I referred to someone as a Lady the other day, and I'm not entirely sure if she blushed or bristled slightly. It was one or the other. I meant it nicely as in, you know, a classy person of the female persuasion.

Thank you all for your insights. I would love to read more!

I heard it worked GREAT for Mel Gibson!



How did you say it? Was it a classic New York Italian Hey! LADY! or like a Jerry Lewis Hey Laaaaaady?

Uhh, not too sure on your examples, I'm not familiar with Jerry Lewis. I reckon definitely not in a brash New Yoik style.

Jerry Lewis. Comedic great.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nROMRVUhXuY[/youtube]

Interesting. I use "girl" a lot, but I don't think I call anyone that when I'm talking to them, but more when I'm talking to someone else about them. As in, "This girl I know..." could mean a woman of any age. I guess I should instead use "woman".

My cultural horizons are expanded.

Although I'm afraid exposing you to the Rat Pack now will actually reverse the progress you've made in trying to determine an acceptable and non-sexist way to approach women... and you'll just call everyone "Doll" and "Sweetheart" and "Baby". But a man could do worse than to become Dean Martin.

How about female?

lol

I think 'female' is by far the worst word to refer to a female in a casual way.