Girls or women or females?

Question

I was at a bowling alley and asked an attendent which ball would be best. He said "females usually like this type of ball." He said female in the course of his explanation a couple more times before I just looked at him and said "We're called women" (the other attendent, a woman, laughed) He offered the excuse "We'll I never know if I should say girls or women, or if it will offend anyone." "Can't you tell ages?" So let's help him out, whose offended when called either of these terms and why?

Actually I find female offensive. Animals are male and female. And if it's too much to ask that someone pay enough attention to notice you're not six years old, then maybe etiquette is just too weak now a days.

Answer 1

I feel the same way. Many things in nature are male or female. Female humans are women. Please refer to me as a woman since I am a human being. :)

I posted a question similar to this a few months or so back, and someone made a good point: When you fill out a form for something, in the area where you mark your sex, it's listed as "male" and "female". Don't you think this should be changed? Actually, in a case like that it doesn't bother me. But when I hear someone (my husband is the worst) referring to women as "female", it makes my skin crawl.

I would rather be called a girl than a female. I'm 30 years old and well past the "girl" stage in my life, but at least a girl is a human!

Answer 2

Good question. I consider myself a feminist. I wouldn't say an extreme but I am all for women's right on all aspects. At the age of 21 if an adult male were to call me a "girl" I would be offended . I guess being called a female wouldn't offend me because technically I am one. It depends on if he sounded like he had an attitude about it and if he was acting like you didn't know a thing.

Answer 3

Why would anyone get offended over any of those terms. The fact that you do is just another example of how our society is becoming so weak. Ever since the whole PC thing started, every ones been in a race to see who can get the most offended.
Unless a man is speaking to you in an obviously derogatory manner, just let it go and GET OVER IT!

Answer 4

Although I'm male, I kind of see your point. I never thought "male" or "female" said in conversation, should be offensive, but now that you told that bowling alley attendant it was, to you, I'll think twice myself. I usually say "gals" or "women" if speaking to adults, "girls" if talking to kids...You seem to know your stuff, to really be on the ball...are you considering starting a business, becoming a consultant on women's issues? I know a number of candidates who might benefit from your guidance, as Naomi Wolfe hasn't been cutting the mustard of late.

Answer 5

I was a girl,then a lady,now a woman,but always female.So I guess I am not affended by any of it,but where I live female is used as a slang term,sort of like shawty.In this case I become offended,as I don't want to be labeled as anything that men consider their personal play thing.When female is used in this context,I do become offended.

Answer 6

I would go with female. After all that's what women were called before all the labeling of womenhood started.

Men have it so easy they are just called male. So that is why they probably call us female's. At least he called you the right one and not a male. I'm not offended by it.

Answer 7

i don't care....maybe you need to relax...some women get offended being called a women...they would rather be called a lady... I myself like the occasional "Hey Girl"...an NO animals are not the only thing called male/female....have you ever filled out a questionare...drivers lincense...work application..they don't asked if you a man or woman...it says GENDER male/ female...don't be so uptight....i think he was very smart to use the word females...i think it's kinds sexy..... did you know that even electronics use the term male/female for electrical cords...guess which one is called the female...and why....

Answer 8

First of all . . . any FEMALE who takes offense to being called a FEMALE is a complete and total beeeeotttttttch! Maybe you just need to get laid but can't cause you are so nasty huh? Have you nothing better to whine about? If I was the attendent and you made a fuss like you did I would have grabbed a 16lb ball and dropped it on your butch foot!

Answer 9

aren't you overreacting just a tad?

If he was saying what he said in a derogatory manner, then I would understand. such as: FEMALES usually like THIS kind of ball.... but if he was just speaking in a normal tone, I don't think I would get as offended as you did. Girls, women, females...all the same to me

Answer 10

I think you're overreacting. If you're past 21 and he said 'girl' then that's a bit condescending. If you're only in your 30s and he said 'grandmas' then that's rude.

But you're making a big deal about nothing. Females, women--they mean the same thing.