Being called "Lady"

Paddles

I always use lady(if the person is female) if talking to my children - ie "could you move out of the way so the lady can get past", never occurred to me it would make people feel old - which is strange because I really dislike the term ma'afor that reason :-)

miss_independent

maintenanceman wrote: »

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

Yeah... "Sir", exactly! What is that about? See, with me the Lady thing isn't happening in a customer service setting, it's happening all the time in everyday settings. So if someone on the street said, "Excuse me Sir?" or "Sir? Could you by any chance point me in the direction of Tesco?" or you turned up at a friend's house and their new girlfriend said, "Hello Sir, he's just upstairs." you would know what I mean?

I mean, I turn up at someone's house for coffee and I get, "Veronica? The LADY you are friends with is here." or "Mum? That Lady's here." (and said child is a young adult!).

This afternoon an 80 year old woman said to my friend, "Who is that Lady that spoke to me?" My friend replied, "Miss Independent" and was told in reply, "I liked that Lady. She is a nice Lady."....... "Please will you tell the Lady I liked her?"


I feel like I'm old or not cool or something!

coolcait

miss_independent wrote: »

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

Good point! Double-edged swords all over the place on this one.

You're right - I do benefit from "leave your auntie Cait alone! There's your auntie wean - go and play with her"

This_Year

I still step aside when someone says, "get out of the lady's way"

then realise that it's me being referred to.

miss_independent

VestanPance wrote: »

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.

Granted, I've never spent much time in the Deep South or (Mid) West but I've lived a large percentage of my life in the US and most American women I know are offended by the term Ma'am! Its a hot topic if you google it. I know it's different in the South and West as I've often heard tiny children on vacation refer to everyone as "Yes Ma'am" and "Yes Sir" as a mark of respect and authority.

miss_independent

coolcait wrote: »

Good point! Double-edged swords all over the place on this one.

You're right - I do benefit from "leave your auntie Cait alone! There's your auntie wean - go and play with her"

Ha! They won't even call me Auntie in my family. It drives me mad - the kids ask me if they can push me on the swings!

alyth

I work weekends in a supermarket...... give the lady the sweets by a parent always makes me smile - I'm the wrong side of 40!

suki1964

I'm female aged 48 and call the females I work with from around 30 and older, ladies, as in " morning ladies"

The younguns are girls

maintenanceman

ok so my explanation is out. Forgetabout it.

quinechinoise

miss_independent wrote: »

Did you feel "old" the first time someone called you "the Lady"?

Nope. Lady (unless used in conjunction with a name i.e. because you are gentry) is a just a generic term for female. I don't have an issue with any generic (polite) terms for female.

I felt old the first time someone called me "Mrs [surname]". lol Actually, I feel old every time someone calls me "Mrs [surname]". That's my MIL, not me. Makes me feel at least 60!