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[This topic was inspired by a discussion with some female friends.]
Some women take offense to these terms, but not me. In fact, I embrace them willingly. (Just don't ever call me "girl", otherwise you could be subjected to one of my famous diatribes! More about that later.)
This goes back to the 1970s and 1980s when I was
workingclawing my way up the corporate ladder.
~BITCHES~
Back then, women were still mostly looked down upon as lowly support workers and few held positions of authority. The ones who did had to work twice as hard to get half as far as the men in similar positions. Then, their ultimate reward was to be labelled a BITCH. This was meant to be derogatory, but in reality, it indicated these women had the balls and forthright attitude to make it in a "man's world". Call me bitch and I say:
"Thank You. That's Ms. Bitch, to you!"
~~~~~
~BABES~
Many women, especially feminists hate it when men call them babes, foxes, eye candy etc., and get angry over catcalls and wolf whistles. The reasoning, of course, is that this is vacuous and has nothing to do with accomplishments or intelligence. They find it insulting and/or degrading. It certainly can be if the comments are vulgar, but I must confess....
This used to happen to me regularly and it always gave me a little ego boost! Now that I'm on the downhill slide, nobody looks or comments anymore and I miss it. A grey-haired, overweight matron isn't going to attract those guys on the construction crew. Too many lovely young things walking around! Sigh.....
[Yes, I know this is a paradox. Life is full of contradictions.]
~~~~~~
~BROADS~
For me, it's a supreme compliment to be referred to as a "Great Broad" or a "Tough Broad". Bawdy, fearless, not easily embarrassed or offended; a woman who can hang out with the guys, cracking dirty jokes, using colourful language, all without losing her femininity. That's what I call a strong, sassy woman!
Some great, tough broads of the silver screen:
Photo credits: Bette Davis Lauren Bacall Marlene Dietrich
~~~~~~
So, what's my beef about being called a girl?
Picture this: A female department head is referred to as "the girl" by a male colleague, as in "Talk to the girl over there. She can help you." This completely negates her accomplishments and shows an appalling lack of respect.
Definition of Girl (n.)
1. a female child, from birth to full growth 2. a young, immature woman, esp., formerly, an unmarried one. 3. a daughter: My wife and I have two girls. 4. Usu. Offensive. a grown woman. 5. girlfriend; sweetheart 6. Usu. Offensive. a. a female servant. b. a female employee. 7. a female who is from or native to a given place: She's a Missouri girl.
These old feminist tendencies aren't likely to change. I've never been a "Girly Girl" and some have even called me "Butch" (the other "B" word), but that doesn't apply either. I do wear makeup, the occasional maxi skirt and even sometimes curl my hair. All those years holding my own in the male-dominated manufacturing industry might indicate more masculine than feminine thought processes, in some respects.
Best of both worlds!
[Vintage Commercial 1980]
What are your thoughts about these words?
Looking forward to your comments!
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Published by Debbie D
7 years ago 
