The word: Lady

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Same sort of thing though, just silly people finding as many ways as possible to be offended.

As a man I can sort of relate. I've been called "sir" in a condescending or a demaning tone more than once (by women oddly enough) and I can how context is so important. Pretty much every form of address can be turned nasty fairly easily. In a retail setting I usually use the term ma'am to women though they tend to be quite a bit older than I am. In a more casual setting I usually call women the same thing I call my male friends bro, bra, or by their first names or last names. Actually now that I think of it I don't like the term sir much either I don't object to it in most settings but it would seem like something my father or grandfather should be addressed by.

It's possible that they interpret the term differently than most people would. There's one term in particular that kind of grosses me out but I'm not sure if I should say what it is because I might have to explain it.

I don't think a lot of people are simply looking to be offended, but reacting to language that has been used to attack and belittle them.

I don't find it all that onerous to avoid such language when other words do just as well.

"Lady" has historical implications of dependence and frailty, not just refinement. The term does not offend me, but it rubs me the wrong way. Most men who have used it on me have caused me gender related trouble.

I am not offended by the traditional use of the term "lady" at all - in fact, I actually kind of like the old-fashioned definition (at least how I interpret it) as a woman who is classy and treats others politely and with respect.

However, the more modern use of it among the younger generations - well, it doesn't inherently offend me but it just makes me squick: girls in their teens and twenties wearing short, tight, slu*ty clothes, painting themselves to look like sparkly strangers, going out drunkenly on the pull in grotty clubs and then posting photos of themselves on facebook with the squealy caption, "Ladies' Night Out!! !" In my mind, those aren't ladies. So if anyone referred to me as a lady in that context I wouldn't just be offended, I'd be furious. Unfortunately, now, I am more likely to think of this new definition of a "lady", and often imagine the word being used by skeevy players eying up underage girls too foolish to know what they're doing. Ugh.

And just a note: I think this discussion was meant in the spirit of discovering how different people feel about the word, not about deciding if one group or the other was right in their opinions. Perhaps I'm wrong?

Obviously if someone is like "hey little lady, get back in the kitchen" then i'd understand someone being offended. But if they're just offended or upset by the word, thats just petty.

it is only a word, like dude or girly or guy or m'aam or whatever.

qft

I know. Its just certain people like to make a fuss over nothing.

what about da da da da dude look like a laaady.

got it, got it

she ee s a laydeh...oh, whoa, whoa, she ee s a laydeh. once, twice...three times a la eee day. Look what you started.
when I leave a conversation, if there's more than one guy there, my closer is "Well, you ladies have a good day," or "I'm going to the store, any of you ladies need anything?" this most especially if it's all guys in the conversation.

I like to call big strong men ladies too when i'm teasing them.

I don't like that word. Even worse is when you're at a store, if they were to say Ma'am. It makes a younger female feel likes she's being talked to as if she's 40 years old, in my opinion.

Is that you in your avatar?