To ask what you call other women?

[Duckyduckyquackquack]

'woman' sounds rude, 'lady' sounds very formal, 'girl' sounds try-hard for anyone over the age of about 30. So what word so you use?

I read this as the ‘other woman’ and was expecting a totally different thread!

that said my mum always asked me if I was "going out with the girls" when I went home. To her "the girls" were her closest, dearest friends with whom she shared everything - and she loved to think I had "the girls" as well. So for her saying "the girls" was like saying "amazonian ass-kicking wonderwomen" So I have a soft spot for "the girls""

Yes!
This ^ is what is meant by 'the girls'.
What my (adult) dd might call her 'crew'.

Woman/women.

“fraid so. If you're talking about a woman, then strictly you should say "lady", because to call a woman a "woman" is an indication that you think her lower class ...“

You are Hyacinth Bucket and I claim my five pounds

Never say lady unless the person concerned is a Lady. Or as a courtesy title- “the young lady in the haberdashery Department” Or possibly to a child “Be careful- don’t bump into that lady”

I’d probably go with person or people mostly, unless it was specifically a sex related thing. Pronouns do the job surely. Usually the name is enough. Nothing wrong with using women though.

If they are a bit prudish and stuffy then woman. If they are fun and friendly then girl.

To throw into the mix, what about madam & sir?

I cannot abide madam, but use sir.

My own general weirdness is
I will use ladies & gentlemen when addressing a group in a formal setting. (Or the singular in a single sex situation)
I will use man or lady when telling kids to watch out
Group of female friends together - girls
Females from work on a social - ladies 'event'
Addressing staff at work in a group informally - guys (no matter the sex)
Addressing staff at work formally, no grouping greeting, dear all or similar k

Weirdly, I use gentleman when talking to the kids to be mindful of old men. Eg: Mind this gentleman as you pass.

“If they are a bit prudish and stuffy then woman. If they are fun and friendly then girl.”

Woman, I don't like girlies but hate bestie for anyone out of their teens.