Is referring to women as ladies offensive?

Question

It's an expression I've always used with female friends, always meant to express my respect for them, and I've never been told anything different. Another question posted on the board has me questioning if this is just because they know me and know I mean no harm. I would like serious answers as I would like to know if this is something that may come off as offensive to someone who doesn't know me. To be honest it has been difficult for me not to use writing this. Women seems like such a generic term and female is too clinical for my taste. If this offends you do you have a suggestions for alternatives?

Answer 1

Funny you say that, one of the guys I worked with called a woman a lady, her and her husband threw a fit, "Don't be calling my wife a lady". What was he supposed to call her, a *****!?

Woman are a trip.

C93

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

I prefer the term, "ladies". It implies nice, proper.

I feel the same way you do about it.

I tell my three year old to "sit like a lady". I don't see anything wrong with it.

Answer 4

I was raised to say lady, though many would say I was raised wrong.

Answer 5

I don't think it's offensive. Actually, I prefer being called a lady then anything else.

Answer 6

It's not offensive, but it's a generalization. All ladies are women, but not all women are ladies. I prefer to be called a woman.

Answer 7

Hello! I wouldn't call it offensive if you say something like ladies and gentlemen, but generally I just find it extremely annoying. I don't know what it is about it. But I just don't like it.

=)

Answer 8

I don't know why it would be offensive, unless they are 12. It doesn't matter to me, really. Just don't call me Sweetcheeks, Honey, or Muffin and we're cool. HAHA

Answer 9

No, only wierdos would see it as offensive.

Answer 10

If you call women "ma'am", they get offensive because it sounds like an "Old lady".    Females don't understand.... when you're old.. you're old...

Answer 11

Only a dumb "w***e" would be offended!

That being the case?

Fleck them!

Answer 12

no it isn't

Answer 13

I would much rather be called by my name, after all that is why i was given one. But that is just my personal opinion. But offensive? That would be a stubborn woman looking to blow off some steam because the guy in her life cant satisfy her (or the lack of a guy).

Answer 14

Ask your female friends if it offends them.

I dont find it offensive one bit.

I find it very respectful...especially because the guys who call me that dont use other terms....they say things like 'good morning ladies' or 'you ladies have a great day'

Whats wrong with that?

Answer 15

I call all women ladies and men gentlemen.

Answer 16

I like being called a lady.  It's not considered offensive and you are being respectful.  I don't like being called babe.  I find that term irritating.

Answer 17

it doesn't bother me. I've been called worse lol

Answer 18

Absolutely not, it is sometimes flattering!!!

Answer 19

Harper, it is absolutely not offensive. I find it a sign of good taste and fabulous manners. Some things never come out of fashion, and any woman ( read: not a raging lunatic who restlessly, with foam in her mouth, screeches about the linguistic promotion of gender inequality) would find your address charming.

Answer 20

just don't call me a broad or a bimbo. lady makes a women feel classy, so use it right because not every woman is a Lady i don't care what anyone says about that..some women just are not ladies.

Answer 21

I don't think many women would find the term offensive. However, I agree with the last respondent who noted that some feminists might not like this term. The word women captures all adult females, while the term lady captures adult females who conform to traditional gender expectations. Personally, I'd prefer "woman" to "lady", but then again, I'd prefer my name to both. : )

Here is a poem that might help explain:

Why I'm Not a A Lady (And No Woman Is)

Ladies have pale skin, wear white gloves, they sweep across the top of the armoire to make sure the darker-skinned woman who cleaned it didn't forget or cheat.

A lady doesn't sit with one leg dangling over the arm of the chair like she doesn't give a d**n.

Ladies don't fix cars, build bridges, wire houses. Ladies become First Lady, not President.

Sit up stright, young lady! Cross your legs (shave them first). Remove (surgically if necessary) that frown from your forehead. Lower your voice. Smile.

(If anyone asks why you snuck to the Ladies Room, say you had to powder your nose.)

Call yourself a lady and he'll respect you, he'll protect you, he won't leave you. But who protects the cleaning lady?

Wonder why we don't have "Ladies Studies" at the university?

I'll remain a woman, keep the basic word that got so dirty she wants to clean herself off and be called a lady.

Until a real woman can earn one dollar on the man's dollar; Until a real woman can call her body her own; Until a real woman can love a woman in peace, love a man without fear; Until a real woman can walk the dark streets with her mind on the stars and not on her back, I will know that lady is a lie.

--Sherryl Kleinman

Answer 22

No, not at all.

Answer 23

Only if it's a feminist.