P
Pax2u
Guest
I understand what you are saying. I consider the source when the term is used…in my experience, most who use it are elderly, and it is a generational thing. That doesn’t even register on my radar, totally understand it. It’s more cringe-worthy when a younger man uses it. Similar to calling a wife “the little woman.” There’s just something about it!!I think male female terms often come in pairs:
boy/girl
man/woman
guy/gal
gentleman/lady
etc.
I think it is properly offensive to use a generic or respectful term for the male (like “man”) and then use “girl,” “gal,” or whatever for the female. I think people are on much safer ground when they use matching terms. It’s probably over-sensitive to get prickly at “gal” when “guy” is being used at the same time, but not over-sensitive when somebody is talking about “men” and “gals” in the same breath.
OP…not meaning to derail your thread!