Ladies or women?

[Asset]

I object to being referred to as a lady. The more I hear lady/ladies being used the more it grates on my sensibilities.

I know it's scary and intimidating for some but seriously, get in the 21st century. I'm a WOMAN.

[The Minkey]

Not something I'd stress about personally. Been called worse ;-)

[Asset]

Not particularly stressing just opening up a discussion.

[zeban]

It doesn't bother me at all!

[Annette Curtain]

It doesn't bother me, I am a lady!

[Salsaboy]

I've never been affected by it.

[Otta]

At least you're not being called bird.

My favourite was when an old bloke I was friendly with in Liverpool asked me "how's your tart?".

[Voyageur]

Absolutely happy with either - in fact I am delighted to be called a lady. Life's too short too get het up over such things .... it really, really is.

[Asset]

I'm not sure you're right about that. People have been getting 'het up' over labels for quite a while and for good reason.

[Jessie]

My mother a v strong feminist always objected to lady, I always followed suit. Am thawing now to lady/ies.

[TheArtfulDogger]

My father used to call women he didn't know sweetheart or darling

Thankfully that sort of behaviour is dying out these days

Thankfully and soon, love, there will be no more talk like that ;-)

[bonniebird]

I hate being called madam :/

[MrBen]

Let's say I'm a head waiter at the Savoy, and I'm trying to get two women from a mixed group to show them to their table. "Women, if you'd kindly follow me..". Sounds weird. If they were men you'd say "Gentlemen". I'd hate to offen women like Asset so what's the correct (as in PC) form?

[Voyageur]

Asset Wrote:

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> I'm not sure you're right about that. People have

> been getting 'het up' over labels for quite a

> while and for good reason.

Some have - some haven't. Some women/ladies/birds have got other things in life to fill their minds :)

[Voyageur]

TheArtfulDogger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My father used to call women he didn't know

> sweetheart or darling

>

> Thankfully that sort of behaviour is dying out

> these days

>

> Thankfully and soon, love, there will be no more

> talk like that ;-)

Happy with any of the above - they make me smile.

Not too keen on 'dear' though, although it doesn't keep me awake at night.

[Asset]

You seem to be getting quite worked up about the discussion dear!

[Voyageur]

.

[Voyageur]

TheArtfulDogger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My father used to call women he didn't know

> sweetheart or darling

>

> Thankfully that sort of behaviour is dying out

> these days

>

> Thankfully and soon, love, there will be no more

> talk like that ;-)

I suppose 'all'? Happy with 'ladies and gentlemen' though [snort!]

My workplace is very PC. I remember a few years ago I was in a small team of women and when we emailed the group we prefaced the content with 'Ladies'. My boss was cc'd into one or two of the emails and told us to stop starting the group emails with the word 'Ladies' - even though we were all female and happy with the term - as he thought it was sexist to refer to gender. he insisted we start the group emails with 'All'.

We took no notice...

[Voyageur]

Asset Wrote:

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> You seem to be getting quite worked up about the

> discussion dear!

No love :) Just amused at the subject matter.

[RosieH]

To my mind, it's about the signifier and the signified. The word "lady" has connotations that "woman" simply does not. In fact, it has a definition in the OED as such - genteel or refined woman.

I don't like it because of the implications / expectations of an acceptable mode of behaviour it conveys.

That said, where it's the female equivalent of gentleman, I have no problem. Ladies and gentlemen is fine. 'Cup of tea for my lady' at the hairdressers, no problem.

[Voyageur]

Night night loves! Will leave you wimmin to continue the debate :D

[katie1997]

couldn't agree more Asset - the term really grates on me too.

Saying that tho, I am rather more forgiving depending on context/who is using it. Eg. recently didn't mind when a grandmother at my local library instructed her granddaughter to say 'thank you to the lady' (she meant ME - eeks!) for picking up the book she'd dropped...but otherwise, it usually drives me nuts.

but mostly, it depends on context and intention, I think.

edited: for rubbish grammar etc.

[Mick Mac]

Jessie Wrote:

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> My mother a v strong feminist always objected to

> lady, I always followed suit. Am thawing now to

> lady/ies.

Chips with that jessie ?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Haven't we covered this before in the Miranda Hart thread? I stand by 'lady' as being much more courteous than 'woman'.

[Jessie]

Chip free mick mac