As I said earlier - I am not sure it's relevant whether it is, or is not a well known phrase where Salmond lives - he is worldly and intelligent enough to know that it's not a common phrase in London, and that calling someone 'woman' is considered sexist and offensive down there - and therefore he should have known better than to use that phrase there.
I see nothing wrong with expecting people to adjust and moderate their language depending on context. I am far more forthright and sweary in my daily life, and on here, than I would be if I were talking to my mother. Some fairly innocuous things that I consider pretty OK and inoffensive, would cause her a lot of offence - so I avoid them around her.
That's just courtesy and civility, surely?
My eldest son calls me 'woman' - when he thinks I am being a bit childish, he says 'Oh grow up, woman!' - and that does not bother me at all - in the context of mother-son banter, it is fine. If a stranger used that term to me, I would be less happy and, depending on the tone and the context, I might be offended.