The word "lady" is often used interchangeably with "woman" regardless of the character of the person.
Do you do that? If so, is it because the word lady is easier to say? Or, is it because you believe that all women are "ladies" by virtue of their gender? (e.g. "bag lady")
Likewise, does being male automatically make one a gentleman?
2007-02-14 01:18:05 · 12 answers · asked by Jay 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Obviously, no for both genders.
I try to be consistent in using "ladies and gentlemen" or "men and women", so as not to insult anyone.
But, you get what you demand. That is. . . . women expect and demand politeness and courtesy -- and get it. Whereas, men can be treated discourteously and not complain much.
So, we (some not all) are socialized to politely assume women are ladies regardless of their behavior. But, that's not true of men. They must PROVE that they are gentlemen.
Your example: A WOMAN that lives on the street is called a "bag LADY." A MAN is called "a BUM."
2007-02-14 06:27:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The "nice guy." Who I am? I'm the guy you walk past on the street and don't really notice. The dude you bum a smoke from outside the DMV and talk about your marital troubles to, because you wont see him again. The man you find yourself liking for a little while in your local tavern, but wouldn't exchange numbers with because it just never occurred to ya. I am Mister Everyman, walking down the boulevard of broken dreams, wandering through life unnoticed in the background. I'm not great looking or horrid enough to make you pay attention. I'm not so charming as to make an impression or so geeky as to cause distress. I'm Mr. In-between. There are many of us. We're not happy or sad, we just get along in life the best we can. But a lot of us are secretly heroes, giving a word of comfort or a shoulder to cry on. We always show up to change a tire on a dark and lonely night. Someone like me probably saved your life once, somewhere far away and then did a fade. We're the guys everyone leans on after having a bad day. Those of us who slip through the cracks do more listening than talking, but sometimes we can be ourselves and show who we really are. We can joke and laugh and flirt without fear of rejection or getting our hopes up. We can talk about anything we want. Maybe we'll give the other, pretty people, a glimpse of us. And they might just remember what they saw. That's why.
2016-05-23 22:00:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truly, most people use lady and gentleman when they should really say woman or man. I do this too. However, I think that a real lady and gentleman are people like my parents who are kind, clean in appearance, have good manners, and use clean language.
2007-02-14 02:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by Sari 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most women aren't ladies, the same way most men aren't gentlemen. Some use the terms interchangeably, but to me, a lady exudes class.
2007-02-14 01:47:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ABSOLUTELY NOT, Everyone will have their own personal definition of what behavior rules out one being a lady or gentleman. Good, appropriate, decent deportment makes one a lady or gentleman.
2007-02-14 01:30:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, gender does not make you a lady or gentleman. That isa respectful way to refer to someone, that's all. IF someone acts unruly and out of line, they are not a lady or gentleman just because of sex.
2007-02-14 02:10:13 · answer #6 · answered by country_girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't really like being called a lady. I think 'lady' implies a certain inability to do dirty work or heavy carrying. If I need help I'm not too stuck-up to ask but I take pride in being able to rake my own leaves, carry & spread my own fertilizer in the yard, fix a flat on my bicycle or change a tyre on a car (although that is the limit of my knowledge on either subject :)), etc, etc. 'Ladies' don't do any of that...
2007-02-15 01:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No. Paris Hilton & Britney Spears, for instance, are not ladies, but we have incontrovertable proof they are both women (unfortunately).
It is always polite to assume a woman is a lady, so that's why the word is used so often.
It works the same for men.
2007-02-14 02:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by Sandy Lou 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If a woman behaves in a ladylike way, then she is a lady, otherwise, no.
I refer to women as women, so I don't make a silly mistake LOL
2007-02-14 01:30:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that all ladies are women but not all women are ladies...
2007-02-14 01:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋