sexist mode

My hubby works with 99% women and when he comes home and talks about work he refers to them as "the ladies". I told him he is looking at his co workers as females only and not individuals who earned a title, or associates that have a name.

What do you think?

 

You refered to them as women.
Both "women" and "ladies" reference their femaleness.

What word would you want him to use to refer to them collectively?

When talking about individuals, does he say "Mary", "the Head of QC", or "one of the ladies"? i.e. when talking about an individual, does he speak of her as an individual, without reference to her gender.

 

I think one of the fundamental reasons feminists are no longer taken seriously, and activists in general are taken far less seriously these days, is that people mistake finding a problem when actually they are creating the problem.

They were ladies - he called them ladies - no foul.

 

To further the previous posts...

To merely refer to them as workers is a minimalist description.
We often add information when conversing.

If each and every time he referred to an individual worker he said "the woman" rather than using a name or adding a description such as "the oldest lady" or the "youngest lady" or the "blonde lady" ot the "smart lady" you might have something to think about.

But, if when speaking of a group consisting of all women he adds a qualifier that denotes he is speaking of a group of women it is probably just that. It is most likely added information.

As I said, we often add information, pertinent or not when speaking to others. This is especially true, IMO, of visual information that allows one to visualize the scene being related or described.

 

When I go somewhere with friends I say "I'm going out with the ladies."

I don't see where what he said was so sexist.

 

I work with all men and when I talk to my wife I refer the them as "the boys". I wonder what that make me.

 

an inside out sexist?

actually, i find that most things considered mildly sexist (my dad calls all his female clients 'dear', and they tip handsomely for it "that won't be a problem dear" and he does caters for pharm reps) are really only overthinking it. now, even when its sarcastic and my hubby says "wheres my sandwich?" it is a little offensive, but all those behaviors are based in an older time, lots older like prehistoric.

in any case what you describe is precisely whats wrong with "black." its a hard word to say, people will avoid saying it because its and uncomfy word, but thats what the cops want to know. was he black? white? hispanic? have a russian accent? any tattoos? these are only words, descriptive words, that are necessary. unless of course your goal is "double plus ungood"

 

Which part of them is 1% man?

 

Yeah, I work in an office of roughly 130 people. Eight of us are male. The rest I refer to as women or ladies.
















At least to their face.

 

MikeE... thanks for the comment
When he refers to one individual, he will say their name -as a group it's "the ladies".
It irks me that he loves being surrounded by the "ladies" (normal) but shouldn't he try and sound more professional, or play down the scenario so he doesn't seem like it's a "wrap around-end to end-corner to corner" female setting?

If I worked with all guys, I wouldn't come home and talk about "the boys" at work...
Gees, to me that would be slappin' the real pleasant experience in his face. I think he should "button it up" some and call these females "techs", "front desk staff", "billing dept" cos' he really is thinking of them as just "skirts" for which they don't have a name just gender...

 

i think what you told him is stupid. what should he call them...dudes ? they have vaginas don`t they ? ladies is pretty respectable way to call his co-worker females. this is not about male-female discrimination, but the simple fact they are woman.

 

Duck... thanks for the comment
If we were flying on a plane the captain doesn't get on the mic and say, "the ladies will now serve your beverages", or "the women will instruct you on safety"

This individual providing a service has a name for what they do and have earned a title.

If I were in a restaurant the host seating us at a table, doesn't say, "one of the ladies" will be over in a moment to take your order. They have earned a position for which they respectively take serious.

 

maybe you should ask him if they find it disrespectable to call them that way.
personaly i would not, i think this is a matter of personal issues if you find it offensive.

btw i am not trying to offend you in any way i am just saying what i think.

 

You're waaaay oversensitive and overreacting
Theyre women. We both know theyre women. Your husband doesn't call them women, he actually has the courtesy to call them ladies, which I think is lovely
I'm a women. Being women isn't something we need to avoid being identified with, it doesn't mean he doesn't respect them as indiviuals. It's when it becomes degrading there is an issue. He isn't degrading them

 

You sound insecure. All your partner has done is recognise that his coworkers are female. This really isn't an issue
How is him calling them ladies denying that they have names? Is he supposed to sit there listing all their names? Something tells me that if he did that, you would be concerned that he knew all their names.
Refering to them by occupation to me would be more dehumanising and less personal than refering by gender. I'd much rather be called a lady than a job

 

FunHogg... thank for the comment
(at least to their face?)

what are the titles that the 122 have?

 

You should be thankful that he isn't calling them his 'hoes' or 'bitches'.

 

Greengirl... thanks for the comment

your speaking from your individual place in life... that is what I posted for )

 

Face Eater... thanks for the comment

they are hoes & bitches !

 

He's talking to his wife, at home, about his co-workers. "Techs" and "Front Desk staff" have too much work and not enough off-duty for my ear. (Perhaps also your husband's ear.)

I think that you are over-thinking the sexism angle. Is it possible that you are not completely comfortable with him spending all day with women?

If you wouldn't talk about "the guys" you work with, what would you talk about?