Ladies, women, girls....

[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!

[Xrayted]

I remember being in middle school and high school (20+ yrs ago) during softball or basketball games, everytime one of us would get a great hit, or throw someone out or land a nice layup, we'd all yell "You woman, you!!!" Even our parents got into the act. It was a battle cry of female fierceness for us. Till this day, the only ones I can still say that to and not get the hairy eyeball are those particular women.
I usually joke when called a lady that "you don't know me well enough to know if I'm a lady or not." I grew up in FL where it was common to say sir, ma'am... out of repect. In the NE, if you call a woman under the age of 45 "ma'am", you get nasty looks.
I agree that in a sport setting or anywhere where the tone is professional, the word woman should be used. Lady has it's own spot for certain occasions. Girl is used only between very close friends. "You go girl" however is never allowed.

I do manage to slip sometimes, I have to admit. I errantly used the "young lady" on DGF just last night and got a look that could strip paint off the wall.

[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.

[salsabike]

I read through this post and I use just about all these terms depending on the situation.

I think a lot of it depends on tone, and the situations you encounter.

I say "thanks hun" to the cashier when I check out.
I say "hey what ya guys doing later" when talking to my girl friends.
I say "yes Ma'am" in many situations.
I say "hey you girls ever?" when asking a question.

I say Ya'll too, for a lot of things and don't use gender at all.
LOL

Ditto. It's the intent behind the word that I notice, not so much the word itself.

[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

[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).