Should refer to strangers as ladies and gentlemen, or just people you're familiar with? ?

Question

For example, 'Ah, Tom, I'd like you to meet this gentleman over here,'

That sounds perfectly natural, an introduction at a party.

But let's say we are at a busy train station, looking at a group of strangers who are taking out of ear shot.

'Which one did you say looks like your ex-Husband?'

'The gentleman in the blue suit,'

What I am getting at is, do you only call people 'lady' or 'gentleman' when are are familiar with them, or talking directly to them? Or can the term be used to describe anybody of the relevant gender?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I know it is odd, but as others have indicated it is a courtesy. It implies the person is a lady or gentleman and will be presumed so unless they prove differently. In my brother's wife's family some are such yobs, I couldn't bring myself to say other than "let me introduce..."in close social settings.

Some of course are nice people as is my sister in law, but being familiar almost makes one responsible to introduce honestly.

At a train station or in public, especially in pointing out strangers, no need to be so formal.  

Answer 2

The words Lady and Gentleman are compliments which are always given to strangers, in the same way as the words sir or ma'am are and should be used in formal contact with a stranger. The I call no one sir (a UK attitude)   because I'm as good as anyone does not actually have any validity and actually proves an inferiority .

One thing you must never ever do is refer to yourself as a lady or a gentleman because it proves you are not. If it is true it would be so obvious that you would not need to remind anyone.  

I might add that there are ways of calling a man Sir or a woman Ma'am or Madam and letting them know you mean something else at the same time and if you do it properly they look silly if they compalin

Answer 3

It is never incorrect to refer to others in any situation as "lady" or "gentleman".  They are terms of respect, especially here in the USA.