Ladies, women, girls....

[Mr. Bloom]

I say "thanks hun" to the cashier when I check out.

Now, I will admit that when someone refers to me as "hun" it sounds like fingernails on the chalkboard

It's not offensive, per se, but it just never seems to be an appropriate reference - whether to a male or a female...too 'comfortable' for a stranger to use.

In high school and college, I used to have an issue with young women pinching my butt Why did they pinch it? Probably because I had one...and most males that age don't...

But, it seems like the women who pinched my butt were the same kind who use the phrase "hun"...so maybe that's why it bugs me ... and I was raised in the south where "hun" is common colloquialism.

[Deborajen]

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?

I seem to remember Lance Armstrong made jokes about banana Keepers. That was what came to my mind, anyway. When it first came up on this thread, it looked like some guy making a not-so-nice sexual reference - on a women's forum. I had no idea about the earlier discussions about the ride he was working on organizing - doesn't look quite so bad now, if it stays in check.

Having read more about the names of the rides makes more sense, too. I agreed with Zencentury, they sounded degrading. Having read more about the rides, though, they don't sound so bad. Good to see rides are getting started.

Deb

[Starfish]

Now, I will admit that when someone refers to me as "hun" it sounds like fingernails on the chalkboard

For some reason, this is the one the really, really bugs me, too. I don't understand why, but I'm with you. There is a checker at my grocery store who always calls me this. She is nice, I like her, etc. But, I just hate it that she has to call me "hun".

Sometimes I am tempted to tell her I'll say hello to Attila for her!

[KnottedYet]

At my job I call anyone of my parents' or grandparents' generation "Sir" or "Ma'am".

I refer to a group of women as "Ladies", as in "Would you ladies like to sit here?" A group of men are "Gentlemen." Regardless of ages. A mixed group I refer to as "Folks." "Can I help you folks find something?"

When I'm not at work, it's "guys" and "dudes" and "folks" for just about everyone. But still "Sir" and "Ma'am" for older-than-me. "Thank you, sir." "Excuse me, Ma'am, I think you dropped your wallet."

I don't much care what folks refer to me as. I'm more interested in the tone being used when they say it.

[El Hombre]

Link to the thread that I ref'd

I asked for ideas and was dared to hand out Banana Keepers by members of this board. If you knew me, you'd know I never shy from a dare. Should any women have any comments, suggestions, complaints, etc regarding the ride or myself, please feel free to PM me.
Volunteers gladly appreciated!

[Mr. Bloom]

I asked for ideas and was dared to hand out Banana Keepers by members of this board.

I hear ya', but I've accepted that we guys need to be more careful/sensitive on this board. For instance, Bluetree gave me a name I thought was hilarious:

Mr Silver, to me, is just another one of the TE gals, or rather, the oddball roadbike with a kickstand.

I accepted the moniker into my signature line...but I honestly didn't see the double entendre that someone else found as offensive coming from a man...so I changed it.

[amy]

I really had to think about this one for a while. I typically refer to women as girls, particularly if they are around my age (30) or younger. I can't see calling a 70-year-old woman a girl in conversation. But I often find myself talking about a "woman" and I call her a girl. To me, it feels closer, like she's part of my club or something. I can also be found saying chic... often referring to a girl I think is pretty cool. "Woman" feels so official or categorical to me. Not to mention we're fighting for a term that has "man" in the title.

Girls and guys is usually the way I go.

[boy in a kilt]

I hear ya', but I've accepted that we guys need to be more careful/sensitive on this board.

I'm trying to find that balance myself. I do get the occasional hostile PM saying I have no business being here and I should "stfu".

It's just a matter of figuring out where I should and shouldn't be posting and how to get my point across such that people realize my intent is pure.

[BikeMomma]

If you knew me, you'd know I never shy from a dare.

Ladies, Women, et all --- I DO know him, and he's right. You dare him, he'll do it. I won't be surprised in the least if we see banana keepers in our Rapunzel goodie bags.

In keeping with the discussion, I'm pretty easy-going about what I'm called. Although I'm 37 and look way younger (so I'm told), young store clerks occasionally do call me M'am, and it sorta stirs some protest within me, but I brush it off to perhaps what they were taught or told to say by their parents, employers, etc. Generally, I give people the benefit of the doubt and try to be fair and laid-back with my reactions, unless they say it in mean spirit. BUT, get some good 'ol boy calling me "Sweetie", "Sweetheart", "Darlin'", "Doll", "Honey", or any other demeaning name, and it's hackles-up time and I'm spittin' fire. It happens rarely, thank goodness. I love the phrase "you go girl." It sortof empowers me and I hope to empower others with it also, although the people I usually say it to are good friends and acquaintances, not strangers. And I usually shout "Let's go/good job, Ladies" (or a specific person's name) at races, for lack of anything better to say, usually!

Mr. Silver -- oh believe me, he's definitely restraining himself. LOL And from years of knowing him, I have to agree with him that he definitely does not do PC well (you nailed it El Hombre! ) -- he's being an angel here on the TE boards and if I can speak for him, is totally committed in helping to put together an awesome women's-only ride for Seattle and Washington state, which is why he started posting here. The more times he can mention the new ride, the better, and obviously making enemies of TE members here is not good PR!

Zen -- I see and understand your point about the ride names. I've ridden the Cinderella three times now and I admit I've always sorta disliked the name in its negative connotation. But the ride is ALOT of fun, the costumes are downright hilarious, the food's great and plentiful, the volunteers (Prince's) are always helpful, and it's just an overall total blast. If one looks at it for what it is, it's just a ride name meant to be cute, unique, easily-recognizable, etc. The new Repunzel Classic ride is attempting to model the excellent example that the LRRH and Cinderella rides have set, and by choosing a similar fairy-tale name, is hoping to be thought of in the same way as it's predecessors.

Oh, and if I could choose, I'd be rescued by Lassie or the Lone Ranger (his horse ROCKS!....hiho Silver...Away!). Back in the days of knights and castles, I would have let the knight rescue me, but then I would have stole his horse and rode off into the sunset alone.

As for you, 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

Depending on how badly you piss off my friends here at TE, I might take the 3rd option. LOL


BikeMomma

[boy in a kilt]

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~

I moved from the south to a racially mixed neighborhood in michigan when I was young. A lot of my friends were black so a lot of my friends' moms were black. Not calling them "ma'am" was begging to be smacked upside the head.

There is still a picture in my head of black women that I had better call "ma'am" or I'll get smacked again.

It has nothing to do with racial tensions or lack thereof.

[Mr. Bloom]

(his horse ROCKS!....hiho Silver...Away!).

Did you just call my wife a horse????

[BikeMomma]

Did you just call my wife a horse????

I wondered if I'd get a response from either of you!

As I love horses like crazy and think (the horse) Silver was beeeauutiful steed, you could consider it a compliment, I suppose!

Ha! Tooo funny....
~BikeMomma

[Zen]

Originally Posted by El Hombre
If you knew me, you'd know I never shy from a dare.

I got a dare for ya

[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.

[Mr. Bloom]

I wondered if I'd get a response from either of you!

As I love horses like crazy and think (the horse) Silver was beeeauutiful steed, you could consider it a compliment, I suppose!

Ha! Tooo funny....
~BikeMomma

If Silver were a horse, she'd be a strong, lean, muscular thoroughbred

That's was methinks.