Being called "Lady"

Ladyhawk

Often (ok sometimes) men use "ladies" in a derogatory and very unrespectful way which is why your collegues may have responded the way they did. How about saying "goodnight everyone"? Calling anyone, in particular women over the age of about 16 a girl is very patronising. If anyone's interested in this have a look at the everydaysexism feed on twitter.

Being called Lady sometimes surprises me... Despite having a responsible career where I manage multimillion pound contracts I am often taken by surprise when people actually take me seriously and that I am no longer the gawky 14 year old wondering if I will ever grow up.



Eta - I am not sure any if that made sense or was relevant... Basically I meant that being called a Lady makes me feel grown up but not old

make_me_wise

I think it is a completely normal term. I must be older than you miss_independant because in the states I am referred to as 'Madam' rather than 'Ma'am'. Always makes me cringe as my nana used to say I was a 'right little madam'

coolcait

miss_independent wrote: »

That's a good point... I'm more used to being referred to as "thon wee lassie" and, in my family (though I'm in my late 20's!) "the Bairn" and "The Wean" :rotfl:

Ah, the perks of being the wean!

The wean in our family has the double joy of hearing things like this:

"No way are you [age]! You dont look it!!!

So, your cait must be getting on a bit then?! :eek:"

Being called 'lady' is a breeze, compared to that! :rotfl:

miss_independent

make_me_wise wrote: »

I think it is a completely normal term. I must be older than you miss_independant because in the states I am referred to as 'Madam' rather than 'Ma'am'. Always makes me cringe as my nana used to say I was a 'right little madam'

Apparently it's considered offensive to call a woman under 40 Ma"am in the US - I was about 19 first time it happened to me :eek:! I've heard extremely polite well mannered women snap back "Ma"am is my mother"! You could change it to "Madam".


Lady makes me cringe because when I was little my Mum would say, "You are in BIG trouble Lady!".

Owain_Moneysaver

I'll answer (with caution) to "Big Man"

miss_independent

coolcait wrote: »

Ah, the perks of being the wean!

The wean in our family has the double joy of hearing things like this:

"No way are you [age]! You dont look it!!!

So, your cait must be getting on a bit then?! :eek:"

Being called 'lady' is a breeze, compared to that! :rotfl:

Lol, does she get sent off to play with the children in the family too? I do .

maintenanceman

Not to steal your thread but I can sympathise. I am a bit older that you and get called "Sir". There is no reason for it as I am not clever and not that old. Maybe it is customer service thing or maybe yo might talk with some accuracy and authourity

Saint_Chris

I don't mind lady, and when i got to work, i walk thorugh and just say, 'morning ladies'

hubby makes me laugh, he calls everyone including me 'love'

VestanPance

miss_independent wrote: »

Apparently it's considered offensive to call a woman under 40 Ma"am in the US - I was about 19 first time it happened to me :eek:! I've heard extremely polite well mannered women snap back "Ma"am is my mother"! You could change it to "Madam".


Lady makes me cringe because when I was little my Mum would say, "You are in BIG trouble Lady!".

The American thing is incorrect. Particularly when in the Southern or Western States when ma'am is used in the same way as sir is for guys. It carries no reference of age or title, but of gender and respect.

Americans use the god awful mom, for their mothers anyway.

Better not visit France it's seen as bad for you to refer to a young woman as mademoiselle these days and that you ladies should always be referred to as madam.

I wouldn't say lady is an age related term. Other than it signifies you're no longer a girl. In the same way guys stop being that boy/lad and become that man.

VestanPance

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

I'll answer (with caution) to "Big Man"

Being tall and from Glasgow I'm always "the big man" or "big chap".