To say something about an email addressed "Dear Ladies"?

[SilverBirchWithout]

I've just received an internal email (from someone I have not met) addressed to myself and a colleague. It opens with "Dear Ladies", I personally find the general term "Ladies", unless used in a light-hearted way, quite sexist.

I'm now being really judgy about the person who sent it, I assume they are male, but they have an unusual first name, so it's not clear.

1. Would you be as irritated as I am?
2. Does it make any difference if they are another woman or a man?
3. Would you say anything? If so what?
4. Should I bother to actually respond to their request for info, as it is readily available on the organisation's intranet?

Or am I just hot and grumpy?

I work for enlightened organisation, which amongst other activities, campaigns on improving women's rights in the UK and overseas.

there are worse things to get upset about you know

I hate when people say this, its like telling someone to stop crying that they have broken their leg because someone else is dead.
You can get annoyed about the little things as well as the big things, especially when they are connected. One of the many many reasons for the gender pay gap is less respect for women in the workplace than men, after all.

SunnyBaudelaire

there are worse things to get upset about you know - like the gender pay gap.

If I was a woman, I wouldn't be offended by words like 'cunt', 'bitch', 'whore'. I'd be more offended by words like 'you gonna be paid less because you is a woman'."

Reginald D. Hunter.

I wouldn't spare the energy to get worked up by it. If he/she'd written "Dear Girlies" I might have bristled, but I have no issue with being referred to as a 'Lady'.

Oh FFS. In what way is the term 'ladies' sexist?! Descriptive perhaps albeit in a way you're not keen on.

I wonder how some people get through life, I really do.

^^ this, with bells on!

I would prefer Dear All, but it doesn't bother me and I wouldn't complain.

thank you lurkinghusband, interesting quote!
Winterofourdiscountents - if women want to be taken seriously in the workplace they need to stop wasting time fussing about inoffensive forms of address.

'Dear Tiny Girlies' now that might have been offensive....

Goodness I often receive emails addressed to Dear Ladies. I didn't realise I should be annoyed.

I would prefer, and use, Dear Colleagues. More professional.

Or use their actual names.

Ladies is sexist?! Really??

You could always just reply with 'Dear Man' or 'Dear Lady' or 'Dear Person with Gender Neutral Name' as appropriate...

Actually things like this do have relevance to a number of women's issues IMO.

I don't want to sound too precious, but giving a group of people a collective noun creates a sense of different from me, otherness if you like. I don't think anyone start an email addressed Dear Disabled Colleagues or Dear Ethnic Minority Colleagues (using less acceptable terms) if it wasn't at all relevant to the body of the email.

But I do also realise that the terms "ladies and gentleman" were in common usage in the past so many people no doubt don't see it in the same way.

Oh dear! A recent email I sent started Dear Ladies. I interchange with various openers including Dear All depending on who it's to and for variety. I'm a lady/woman/female but didn't realise some people find that form of address offensive. Personally, I couldn't care less.

Winterofourdiscountents - if women want to be taken seriously in the workplace they need to stop wasting time fussing about inoffensive forms of address.

Bollocks they do. Women don't need to be told what they can be bothered about, and youre being sexist to suggest that as a group we need to do anything in particular to be "taken seriously in the workplace". That should be as standard, and we can object to or be pissed off by any little or big thing we fucking well want to.

Really?

a) no
b) no
c) no
d) yes, by giving them the itranet link so they know for next time

I think you are just hot and grumpy.

Oh for God's sake.

Frankly, the words Enlightened Organisation, which amongst other activities, campaigns on improving women's rights in the UK and overseas provokes a similar irrational response in me.

'Ladies' is a polite term, but attempting to be polite seems to be regarded with deep suspicion by some people on here.

I use the opening hello ladies for internal emails or to my friends (obviously not if also to men). But then when I'm out with DS I will tell him to pass the shopping to the lady (he's not quite 2 but loves to help out by holding something) as I think that this is a polite way for a small person to refer to an adult.
I think it's the same as men referring to gents.

You could always just reply with 'Dear Man' or 'Dear Lady' or 'Dear Person with Gender Neutral Name' as appropriate...

Ideal solution, light-hearted enough for most situations.

Sorry to the posters who don't find this important enough......Although, it is helpful to have your input, as I did sort of wonder whether I'm being over sensitive about this.

Would you open a professional email with Dear Gentlemen? If not, you're being sexist.

And whats with all the eye-rolling and ffs'ing? You don;t have to agree with OP, but there is no need to be so dismissive. Are you trying to pretend that sexism in the workplace isn't widespread?

Dear All,

but this is a very casual address whereas Dear Ladies is more formal
oh how about reverting to Dear Madam

I don't have time to get het up about what other people get het up about people getting het up about on the Internet.

Oh wait, i do.