Do you think there is a difference?

[Osborn F Enready]

(answer as speaking for yourself, in your perception, as opposed to an observed perception)

FOR WOMEN:

Is there a difference between a "lady", a "woman", a "girl", a "babe", a "hottie", a "chic" and a "female", when women talk amongst women? When women talk amongst the opposite sex?


Do women of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications?

What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR MEN:
Is there a difference between a "guy", a "dude", a "man", a "male", a "gentlemen", when men talk amongst men? When men talk amongst the opposite sex?

Do men of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications?

What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above?

[kubedawg]

I use man and due a lot when talking with my guy friends, and when talking amongst females, there is no difference. When I talk about women when only male friends are present, I often use the word hot or sexy, but when other women are present, I usually go with beautiful or pretty depending upon the girl friends.

[Praxius]

You forgot Shortie.

And, no I have no real terms I hold to.

Perhaps Gentlemen if someone does have those traits, otherwise it's just whatever.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready (answer as speaking for yourself, in your perception, as opposed to an observed perception) FOR WOMEN: Is there a difference between a "lady", a "woman", a "girl", a "babe", a "hottie", a "chic" and a "female", when women talk amongst women? When women talk amongst the opposite sex? Do women of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications? What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOR MEN: Is there a difference between a "guy", a "dude", a "man", a "male", a "gentlemen", when men talk amongst men? When men talk amongst the opposite sex? Do men of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications? What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above?

I use bird, lass, woman and lady interchangeably when I'm around both men and women. I don't use babe, it's just not in the local vocab here, but I do use babes as a singular - "Alright babes?" sometimes with a lass if she's a friend or girlfriend as long as there's no guys around, too damned cutesy to be seen using it.

I use dude, man, mate and bloke when talking about guys in anyones company.

The way I use man in conversation is just as a swap for any other greeting. However, when I talk about man as in manhood, I consider it as a state of mind and set of values some people grow into. It's not based upon age, it's about taking responsibility. As such, I'd argue most guys are just male adults rather than men these days.

[Osborn F Enready]

Great answers, or along the lines of what I was questioning anyway.

Thanks for sharing, and please, as more people read, please share.


As a side-question, how many people "strive" to be any of the above, such as to be considered a "gentleman" or "lady" for example?

I for example, strive to be a "gentleman" in public, or around a "lady", but when I am among my male friends, and even some "un-ladylike" female friends, I am a bit looser with the language, the topic of conversation, etc. I am not necessarily more comfortable either way, and I think for myself a mix is beneficial, but at times both are taxing.



How about you?

[phoenix_fire]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready (answer as speaking for yourself, in your perception, as opposed to an observed perception) FOR WOMEN: Is there a difference between a "lady", a "woman", a "girl", a "babe", a "hottie", a "chic" and a "female", when women talk amongst women? When women talk amongst the opposite sex? Do women of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications? What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll respond, but I wouldn't put too much stock in it: as I've been told on multiple occasions, I'm not like other women...

From what I've observed, women never refer to other women as "babe", "hottie", or "chick". "Female" is usually used derrogatively unless one is being clinical. There is a big difference between a "woman" and a "lady", but this difference is lost on most people of both sexes these days.

Personally, there are subtle differences to me in all of the above. The first three (as mentioned in the above paragraph) are crass and somewhat demeaning. The first refers to a more classic (30s to 50s era) definition of beauty that could be roughly equated to "doll", especially since the vogue image here is of a woman with childlike facial features (and probably intelligence as well). The second means someone who is easy but probably a little out of your league. The third is what guys who will never get laid call girls, and does not necessarily connote attractiveness. "Female" is what black guys who will never get laid call girls, with the same lack of aesthetic consideration. "Girl" is the most common and least loaded term, and therefore my usual. A "woman" is what most girls my age are trying not to be, because the image it conjures is of someone overweight and gossippy, trying desperately to hold on to and improve her perceived social status no matter how many people she has to destroy in order to do so. The term "lady" is almost never used. It's the unattainable thing that our mothers so extolled when they tried to get us to keep our elbows off the table or eat smaller portions.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready Great answers, or along the lines of what I was questioning anyway. Thanks for sharing, and please, as more people read, please share. As a side-question, how many people "strive" to be any of the above, such as to be considered a "gentleman" or "lady" for example? I for example, strive to be a "gentleman" in public, or around a "lady", but when I am among my male friends, and even some "un-ladylike" female friends, I am a bit looser with the language, the topic of conversation, etc. I am not necessarily more comfortable either way, and I think for myself a mix is beneficial, but at times both are taxing. How about you?

I spent so long trying to be a gentleman growing up, and it got me nowhere with women other than being a good friend. I've found most women relax more around me when I'm cocky, cheeky and confident. I still go through the "set pieces" of being a gentleman, like opening doors, helping with bags, walking nearest the road etc but those are habitual these days rather than intentional.

[Critter]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready (answer as speaking for yourself, in your perception, as opposed to an observed perception) FOR WOMEN: Is there a difference between a "lady", a "woman", a "girl", a "babe", a "hottie", a "chic" and a "female", when women talk amongst women? When women talk amongst the opposite sex? Do women of today strive to meet any of the above "persona" classifications? What is associated, for you, with the "classifications" above?

All from my point of view:

"Lady": Term I would use when speaking of someone I really don't know, but am at least required to show respect for, i.e. a customer. ex. "The lady in the lobby is waiting for a large Deluxe pizza."

"Woman": General term for a female aged 18 and up.

"Girl": Either a female under the age of 18, or a young adult between the ages of 18 to, say, 30. Also can be used jocularly to refer to an older woman, i.e. "What's a girl to do?" etc.

"Chick": Slang term for female, can be used by either gender. i.e. A female friend calling another female friend "Chick" or "Chickie" as a nickname, or a guy saying, "Man, that chick is hot!"

"Babe": What a parent might call a child, or an adult might call someone of the opposite sex whom they feel is attractive. Not gender-specific.

"Hottie": What straight people call members of the opposite sex whom they feel are attractive. Also, what non-straight people call members of the same sex whom they feel are attractive. Not gender-specific.

"Female": General term, referring to either humans or animals. i.e. "My cats are all female," or "I'm a female, I'm entitled to change my mind."

I don't really care what people call me, as long as it's not a derogatory name. "Woman", "girl", and "chick" are all okay, "That female over there" in reference to me will get you a strange look, and "hottie" or "babe" will be met with some skepticism. "Lady" would just make me feel old.

[Jack]

Does anyone still say, "Ma'am"?

[The Bacon Guy]

I do, but only if I'm making fun of someone. Other than that I use wench or I call them by their names. If I'm referring to them in the third person I use woman or, if I don't like them, cunt.

For men I use man, mate, dude or sir indiscriminately.

[Osborn F Enready]

I still use Ma'am, and often in the wrong place, like to a young woman.

Its a habit.

I also say "howdy", and I am from the North.

Go figure.

[Jack]

I also say "howdy", and I am from the North

So do I, and usually get strange looks when I do. But since I'm from the West, does that give me a pass?
(I also say Ma'am, if she's a senior citizen.)

[LetThereBe]

I probably say 'gents' and 'guys' when referring to males (the former to indicate a postive connotation).
I rarely refer to women on a generic basis, so I usually use their name. When I am speaking generally I will normally use lady or girl (again, the former being positive).

In a few circles I will speak completely differently. Some college friends I will refer to and address as "dude-man", and among some I use "newb" (and its infinite variations) to address anything and everything, not even necessarily with any negative implications.

[LetThereBe]

Quote by: phoenix_fire I'll respond, but I wouldn't put too much stock in it: as I've been told on multiple occasions, I'm not like other women...

Phoenix is female?

Wow. Not that it makes any difference, but I find that quite shocking. I always assumed you were male.

I did not realize you were a woman/chick/girl/hottie/lady/babe or whatever you prefer.

[carriew]

I prefer girl. i was a hottie/babe once upon a very long time ago lol. i dont feel old enough to be a lady or mam. and thankfully never been called either lol.

i call guys guys, dudes, shitheads, or whatever lol.

my husband calls people buddy all the time when he talking about guys recently he calls them a cat i asked him why and he has no idea!

[Critter]

Eh, cat is an old slang term like dude is now.

I'll call a woman Ma'am if I don't know their name; like if a customer's waiting in the lobby for their order and their attention is elsewhere, "Ma'am? Did you have the order for (name)? Okay, thanks, and have a nice night."

[Jack]

"Cat", most recently from Hepcat, circa 1950's.

[phoenix_fire]

Quote by: LetThereBe Phoenix is female? Wow. Not that it makes any difference, but I find that quite shocking. I always assumed you were male. I did not realize you were a woman/chick/girl/hottie/lady/babe or whatever you prefer.

*sigh* It's ok. That's what everyone always thinks. I even named my blog accordingly: I am not a guy

Perhaps I should change my avatar to Fujioka Haruhi.

[LetThereBe]

It is probably more the anime avatars than anything else.

[pandaz xx]

for girls- they are all going to grow up & make babies & cookies & such.
so why is there a difference?