calling women "ladies"

[Anonymous]

What did the blind man say as he passed the fish store...?

Hello LADIEEES

waka waka waka

[Anonymous]

Isn't anyone here old enough to remember Marilyn French's feminist novel The Women's Room? The cover had a sign saying "Ladies Room," and ladies was crossed out to say women's. And how often do we use a public restrooms that are labeled "ladies" anymore? So something's changed in the 35 years since the book came out.

To me, ladies still sounds somewhat demeaning. I prefer women. And anyone over 18 should be a woman, not a girl, although when I was in my early 20s my friend and I coined "womenettes."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this drove my mother nuts, too, and now bugs me a bit. The reason that it bugged my mom is because the word "ladies" brings with it the connotation that there's this other group of bitches and tramps out there. It's not really a word that should be used in a professional setting.

The reason "women" feels wrong to say is because both "women" and "ladies" shouldn't be used to refer to groups of females. Why people can't just say "everyone" is beyond me. It's probably nothing I would ask someone to stop as you can see the level of offense people take to the idea that it might be offense.

I just don't understand why being called a woman when you are a woman is considered offensive. Just like calling men by what they are, men. Being a woman is not a bad thing. Taking offense in being called a woman or a lady is saying that those words have a negative meaning when they don't! The neutralization of it all because it's all offensive drives me bashit crazy. We're all different. That's a GOOD thing.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the context. PP you are Right, but pointing out these differences in a professional situation- where people are discriminated against all the time- seems ridiculous.

You would never say to a group of African-Americans - which most people don't find to be an offensive term in itself, "Okay, African-Americans." Why? It's completely irrelevant what their race is to the situation at hand.
And it is offensive even more in a place in which discriintation has traditionally occured.

Not that many years ago "ladies" in a professional situation was VERY relevant. As PPs have argued, to a certain extent it still is relevant. So why the need to point out gender?

And does no one else think it matters that this usually happens from older men to younger women? To me that says something.

[Anonymous]

Do people typically write emails with

Gentlemen,

as a salutation? (I'm not one, so I wouldn't know).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I am speaking to a group of Betty White's classmates, I will say ladies instead of girls. If it is a group of Miley Cyrus lookalikes it will be girls.

Heh. Definitely doesn't act like a lady.

[Anonymous]

I don't get this. Do women never use terms like guys, men? How should a man refer to a group of women. Do you prefer women to ladies?

[Anonymous]

I have an annoying tick of saying "you guys" to my university classes of both genders. Based on the looks the females prefer "ladies."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree -- what should people be using instead?

Those with lady parts

[Anonymous]

I'm just happy to not be called girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't anyone here old enough to remember Marilyn French's feminist novel The Women's Room? The cover had a sign saying "Ladies Room," and ladies was crossed out to say women's. And how often do we use a public restrooms that are labeled "ladies" anymore? So something's changed in the 35 years since the book came out.

To me, ladies still sounds somewhat demeaning. I prefer women. And anyone over 18 should be a woman, not a girl, although when I was in my early 20s my friend and I coined "womenettes."

Ugh baby boomer feminists couldn't go away quick enough. I am glad we are now about being feminnim rather than feminist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't anyone here old enough to remember Marilyn French's feminist novel The Women's Room? The cover had a sign saying "Ladies Room," and ladies was crossed out to say women's. And how often do we use a public restrooms that are labeled "ladies" anymore? So something's changed in the 35 years since the book came out.

To me, ladies still sounds somewhat demeaning. I prefer women. And anyone over 18 should be a woman, not a girl, although when I was in my early 20s my friend and I coined "womenettes."

Ugh baby boomer feminists couldn't go away quick enough. I am glad we are now about being feminnim rather than feminist.

Well bless your heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't anyone here old enough to remember Marilyn French's feminist novel The Women's Room? The cover had a sign saying "Ladies Room," and ladies was crossed out to say women's. And how often do we use a public restrooms that are labeled "ladies" anymore? So something's changed in the 35 years since the book came out.

To me, ladies still sounds somewhat demeaning. I prefer women. And anyone over 18 should be a woman, not a girl, although when I was in my early 20s my friend and I coined "womenettes."

Ugh baby boomer feminists couldn't go away quick enough. I am glad we are now about being feminnim rather than feminist.

AMEN and buh-bye...adios...don't let the door hit ya on the way out-LADIES.

[Anonymous]

When I address a group of friends in an email, I almost always address them as 'Dear Ladies'. I don't want to say 'hey guys' or 'hey women' or 'hey girls' (since we are women, not girls). Those aren't appropriate. So while 'ladies' sounds a little formal, it seems to be the best choice as a salutation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I address a group of friends in an email, I almost always address them as 'Dear Ladies'. I don't want to say 'hey guys' or 'hey women' or 'hey girls' (since we are women, not girls). Those aren't appropriate. So while 'ladies' sounds a little formal, it seems to be the best choice as a salutation.

But why not say "Dear Friends" or "Hi, everyone"?