Ladies vs. Women

[CruCru]

I was talking with someone the other day about calling women women rather than ladies. He said that he thinks “women” is a bit rude and that it’s more polite to say “ladies”. I think there is nothing wrong with being described as a woman.

I associate men who say “ladies” with seedy older men trying to get off with teenagers in awful nightclubs. However this might only be me.

What do you think?

It doesn’t really matter what ‘he’ thinks - if he’s not female his opinion counts for nothing!
To me, ladies sounds a bit meh. I’m a woman - adult human female.

I find "Hello everyone" covers most occasions. This is useful when you work with different timezones, as well as not knowing whether some people on calls are male or female. So I just stop worrying about it by including everyone.

Back in the old days, when we might be physically together, usually, the only time it was relevant to differentiate was telling people where the loos were.

That's not entirely true- I work in a male-dominated workplace and am the only woman in my department. In relevant conversations, I do talk about women in the workplace and men in the workplace.

I hate emails addressed to "Dear Ladies", because I hate emails addressed to "Dear Gentlemen," because it means they have forgotten I am on the distro again and so - do as you would be done by.

I can't stand the word "ladies". Makes me cringe when I see it written on here. Woman isn't a dirty word. If you wouldn't say gentleman in the sentence, then don't say lady!

I also think a generic hello will do. I manage to address a table of men without saying, "Hello men", "Hello boys" or Hello gentlemen" all of which also sound weird.

I would only use lady if talking to a small child about someone they didn’t know, like the example earlier of a child giving money to a woman at a counter.

@CoffeeRunner

If somebody walks into the office (eg) and says “morning ladies” I think that’s fine. “Morning women” would sound very odd to me.

I can’t stand “morning girls”.

Yes I think morning women sounds wrong. Don't know why.

I don’t particularly care what men use as long as they are not trying to insult me. I use all...

Messaging the school mums or girl friends as a group I may say “hi ladies” or i may say “mind that lady” to my DCs when I’m out.

Referring to a night out I may say “girls night out” or “ladies night”

Referring to a single female or group I may say “who was that woman in the pink top” or “who are those woman over there” ....

I think all are perfectly acceptable and your just being picky for the sake of it. There is an older man in my street who always refers to me as Mam, I don’t particularly like it, I’m not the bloody queen but he’s an old military man who referees to men and woman as Mam and Sir so I’m not going to bitch and moan about it just because it’s not how I talk.

When my children were growing up everyone we knew had au pairs.

One of the men, when talking about about their au pair would, without fail, refer to her as 'the girl'; god, I disliked that man, or knobhead, as I would refer to him.

I don't really mind which I'm called, tbh. I also use the word gentleman where I think it might be appreciated.

@Firstbellini

I would only use lady if talking to a small child about someone they didn’t know, like the example earlier of a child giving money to a woman at a counter.

That's what many people do. Then those children grow to call women 'ladies' as a sign of politeness, still following what they saw or were taught growing up. Until some women decide the men among them are creepy perverts who're afraid of women because they said 'ladies'. What a way of thinking. Quite bizarre actually.

I'd use women. The idea that women is rude is sexist but also historic, and will take a bit of time to die out.

Saying that there are occasions I'd use 'lady' if I had to refer to someone directly but didn't know their name - eg the example of the PP getting their child to give money to a cashier, but I would also use gentleman in that context.

As long as it's said politely, I don't mind either. Referring to 'girls' when all are over 40 is a bit naff though.

Nothing wrong with either, or gentleman, guys, blokes, gals, etc.

I don't like 'girl' or 'boy' for adults in some situations, but fine in others.

I probably draw a firm line at 'broad' in any situation

Non issue lady ladies woman women girls gang kid Mate pal guys whatever if you get upset about such drivel you have a problem people need to chill out and care about things that actually matter

I had a boss who used to call all of us girls. He was younger than most of them!
It doesn't really bother me. Girl/lady/female/woman doesn't really matter at the end of the day.

A former manager with us used to refer to his sll-male team as "girls". He was a sexist arsehole, but all the men saw him as good fun and I'm just over-sensitive, and there is no sexism in the office.