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losttreasure -> RE: Females vs. Women (9/11/2006 7:33:16 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MistressLorelei
I don't mind the source.... he asks a lot of questions, he is often wordy, but he thinks outside the box, and from what I have seen, he tends to be respectful of others, despite whether I agree with what he has said or not. Perhaps I have missed something.
Respectful? *laughs* Yes, MistressLorelei... you've missed something, and be thankful that you have.
To the OP...
I understand your position very clearly, and I agree that there is a note of derision present when the term "female" is used exclusively. Personally, I've no overt issues with being called a female, but it's not my preference. To me, I believe that such terms as female, woman, lady, and the like have very subtle connotations that conjure an emotional feel and add depth.
Female evokes a feeling of stark, cold and impersonal... clinical. This isn't necessarily negative. While in the Army, I was always referred to as a female. As the military operates with a detached and methodical approach, it was appropriate in that venue.
Woman creates a feel that is warmer, sexier, intimate and more natural. I may be one of the few, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when I'm addressed simply as "woman". [:D]
Lady seems to be both impersonal and aloof.
*laughs* And having decided to check the dictionary, I find the following comparison:
Woman, female, lady are nouns referring to adult human beings who are biologically female; that is, capable of bearing offspring. Woman is the general term. It is neutral, lacking either favorable or unfavorable implication, and is the most commonly used of the three: a wealthy woman; a woman of strong character, of unbridled appetites. In scientific, statistical, and other objective use, female is the neutral contrastive term to male and may apply to plants and animals also: 104 females to every 100 males; Among lions, the female is the chief hunter. Female is sometimes used in disparaging contexts: a gossipy female; a conniving female. Lady meaning “refined, polite woman” is a term of approval or praise: a real lady in all things; to behave like a lady.
As a side note, while women are often referred to as "girls", if I'm individually called that by someone with whom I have only a casual aquaintance, it grates on my nerves. Although I know it usually isn't intentional, it feels as if I'm considered to have not grown up. Now, if it's someone with whom I'm intimate... that's an entirely different story. [;)]
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