Ladies, women, girls....

[boy in a kilt]

I know this is a subject of potential consternation for women. Since it's so context-driven and tact is a new concept for me, I've come up with a few hard and fast rules.

When I'm discussing a woman with my wife, we have our own protocols.

Women from the south and certain black women are ma'am.

If I am speaking to a group of women, they are y'all.

If I'm speaking to a woman I don't know, or who doesn't meet any of the above criteria, I avoid the issue entirely. I find "thank you" works just as well as "Thank you ma'am."

[El Hombre]

As a male trying to organize a female only ride, I am so screwed.... PC I am not SOoooo, should it be "Ladies Ride"? "Women's Ride"? "Members of the opposite sex who want to kill Dan ride"? Maybe I'll start 10 minutes early with a box of Banana Keepers

[Pax]

As a male trying to organize a female only ride, I am so screwed.... PC I am not SOoooo, should it be "Ladies Ride"? "Women's Ride"? "Members of the opposite sex who want to kill Dan ride"? Maybe I'll start 10 minutes early with a box of Banana Keepers

"Womens Ride" would be fine. Unless you normally have "Gentleman's Ride"?

[Zen]

Maybe I'll start 10 minutes early with a box of Banana Keepers

Not quite sure what that's supposed to mean.
Why would women want to go on a women's only ride led by a man?

Apologies to the women of the board for the thread drift but this is an example of why men should think at least five times before posting.

[lph]

I'm assuming it was just a joke referring to the enthusiastic discussion around Banana Keepers earlier on this board, can't see anything offensive in that myself.

[salsabike]

Not quite sure what that's supposed to mean.
Why would women want to go on a women's only ride led by a man?

Apologies to the women of the board for the thread drift but this is an example of why men should think at least five times before posting.

I'm assuming it was just a joke referring to the enthusiastic discussion around Banana Keepers earlier on this board, can't see anything offensive in that myself.

Exactly. El Hombre is trying to organize a women's ride here in the PNW that would be like Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood. I am really happy that he's interested in doing that and looking forward to helping him do it!

[Zen]

I'm assuming it was just a joke referring to the enthusiastic discussion around Banana Keepers earlier on this board, can't see anything offensive in that myself.

I don't think men belong in certain discussions here. I have put him on the "ignore" list but unfortunately still see the name in posts. Coming from a woman the comment might be amusing.
There are many women capable and willing to lead all women rides.

Don't even get me started on how degrading the "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella' names are for a ride. Each of those characters relied on a man to save her from an unfortunate situation. Blecch.
I doubt many men would ride in the Little Jack Horner.

[Pax]

I remember in high school (1974-1978) our team name was the Eagles, we went to State my senior year and the papers would only refer to us as the Ea-girls.

[velogirl]

Don't even get me started on how degrading the "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella' names are for a ride. Each of those characters relied on a man to save her from an unfortunate situation. Blecch.
I doubt many men would ride in the Little Jack Horner.

Zen, no offense is intended to you, but apparently the thousands of women who ride in both of those events each year would disagree with you. I can't speak for LRRH because I haven't done it, but I've ridden Cinderella half a dozen times and it sells out every year on the day they open registration. 2,500 women. And it's a treat that a predominantly male cycling club has created an event for women -- an event where they cater to all the female riders who participate. I, for one, appreciate it. And take no offense at the name whatsoever. Actually, one of the treats each year is dressing up, decorating our helmets, and checking out all the fun costumes the other women have put together.


Lorri

[velogirl]

Now I'm really confused. I hate to admit that I thought a banana-keeper had some sexual connotation. Then I looked at the link from the original post -- a banana keeper is a storage container for a banana so it doesn't get squished. I don't get it. Why are folks offended by that?

[Starfish]

but apparently the thousands of women who ride in both of those events each year would disagree with you.

I haven't done either of these rides, but they sound fun to me.

That said, though, maybe it just makes me very unprincipled that I would be one of those women who might do the ride, to have the fun of riding with a bunch of women, but still hate the name.

I actually had a man throw at me in an argument once that I just wanted to be Cinderella (NOT, but then that's why there was an argument).

[Trekhawk]

Zen, no offense is intended to you, but apparently the thousands of women who ride in both of those events each year would disagree with you. I can't speak for LRRH because I haven't done it, but I've ridden Cinderella half a dozen times and it sells out every year on the day they open registration. 2,500 women. And it's a treat that a predominantly male cycling club has created an event for women -- an event where they cater to all the female riders who participate. I, for one, appreciate it. And take no offense at the name whatsoever. Actually, one of the treats each year is dressing up, decorating our helmets, and checking out all the fun costumes the other women have put together.


Lorri

Well said Velogirl!!
I have done LRRH and I thought it was a great ride. As far as the name goes well I thought it was a fun name but then being an Aussie I never take things too seriously. I even have a lovely LRRH jersey and wear it with pride.

[teawoman]

As a male trying to organize a female only ride, I am so screwed.... PC I am not SOoooo, should it be "Ladies Ride"? "Women's Ride"? "Members of the opposite sex who want to kill Dan ride"? Maybe I'll start 10 minutes early with a box of Banana Keepers

I believe it was some women on the board who dared him to offer these at the ride.

Go with #2 title! (and possibly #3 at this rate! )

The original thread.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=16592

If I hadn't seen the original context for this, I'd be a bit p-o'd too.

[LBTC]

... certain black women are ma'am.

I'm baffled by the need for the word black in this statement.

I admit I grew up and now live in areas where the diversity leans more towards those of European, First Nations and Asian decent, so perhaps it's my limited exposure and understanding of the racial tensions that African Americans face that makes this term seem not quite right. Can anyone help me out with understanding this?

Thanks,
~T~

[Deborajen]

Thanks for clarifying, Teawoman. Yeah, I was ticked at the post but the link to the previous discussion at least explained where it came from. Still, though, lesson to be learned here - if you make a joke and just assume everyone knows that background, it can really backfire!

Deb