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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to really, really not like being referred to as 'ladies'

92 replies

GetOrf · 16/06/2011 10:09

As in some norman comes on here and says 'well, ladies, what do you think about xxx'

I hate it. I makes me feel like I am on my gran's darts league committee.

Ladies. Urgh.

I would rather someone said 'you lot' or 'you bunch of wankers'.

OP posts:
RuthChan · 16/06/2011 10:15

Really?
I call people 'ladies' because all anyone seems to say these days is 'guys'.
Saying 'ladies' is not suggesting anything, it's merely showing some respect.
Is it really so bad?

Fimbo · 16/06/2011 10:16

I could be worse, I could be "hey huns". Grin

Fimbo · 16/06/2011 10:17

*it, it. Grrrrrrrrrrr

PinotGrigiosKittens · 16/06/2011 10:17

I used "wenches" the other day. Does that pass muster?

Hammy02 · 16/06/2011 10:18

What would you prefer OP? Most people on here are women after all.

MumblingRagDoll · 16/06/2011 10:20

I hate it too....it makes men sound a bit pervy and over-keen.

Gooftroop · 16/06/2011 10:21

YABU. It tends to be said slightly ironically nowadays - like calling male people 'gentleman'.

porpoisefull · 16/06/2011 10:21

I feel 'Ladies' is patronising, but couldn't explain exactly why.

GetOrf · 16/06/2011 10:21

I don't think we need to be referred to as a collective term at all. We are all here reading, you don't need to say 'Ladies!' to garner your attention.

Iyswim.

Ladies is so twee. Call us women. Or you lot. Or oi. Ladies is just so antimacassars on the settee, tabards and feminine hygiene product.

OP posts:
GetOrf · 16/06/2011 10:22

Women who refer to themselves as ladies tend to be the type who carry their tampons in a little blue plastic case, and when changing one in a public loo flush the loo so nobody can overhear any rustling.

Twee.

OP posts:
PinotGrigiosKittens · 16/06/2011 10:23
Confused
Binky55 · 16/06/2011 10:24

YABU way too over sensitive!

TakeMeDrunkImHome · 16/06/2011 10:26

YABU. Girls was deemed to be "offensive" and now Ladies is offensive Hmm

Gooftroop · 16/06/2011 10:26

What is it with all you ladies at mumsnet?

skyebluepink · 16/06/2011 10:27

I don't like it either - it feels belittling even though I realise that's not the intention. I think it's the sort of grouping us all together in one ladyish lump. I think gals is much better.

I also hate being referred to as a lady. Let the lady through etc. Makes me feel v old. Don't know what else you are supposed to say though.

On a slightly tangential note I hate being called Dude, mate and Madame.

OurPlanetNeptune · 16/06/2011 10:29

Ladies is respectful. Would rather I was referred to as a lady than anything else. Because that is exactly what I am. Recently a man tried to get my attention by calling out to me 'yo babygirl'. Seriously?

whowherewhen · 16/06/2011 10:30

Suggest a good alternative!!?

Fimbo · 16/06/2011 10:31

Ha ha Ourplanetneptune, was it Fatboy from EE? Grin

StealthPolarBear · 16/06/2011 10:31

I cannot think of myself as a lady, and amsure I will still struggle in my 90s. Feel a fraud somehow

PinotGrigiosKittens · 16/06/2011 10:33
:)
Melly20MummyToBe · 16/06/2011 10:33

Ladettes Wink:o

GetOrf · 16/06/2011 10:34

Takemedrunk - where did I say it was offensive? It is not offensive, it just sounds like a construct from the 1950s.

What's wrong with being referred to as women? That's what we are after all.

Ladies is a bit old fashioned at work as well. I belonmg to something called the Womens Engineering Society. I can't imagine that in a million years being called the Ladies Engineering Society. The only things which are referred to as Ladies nowadays are Ladies Golf Day (nuff said), Cheltenham Ladies College (ditto) and other archaic societies where ladies where skirts on the knee.

OP posts:
GetOrf · 16/06/2011 10:36

Ladies WEAR.

dear god Grin

OP posts:
crazynanna · 16/06/2011 10:36

Gals Wink

snoozin · 16/06/2011 10:37

what about madam?