Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

The office assistant changed at my school this week. I was talking about her with my Korean co-workers (well, all my coworkers are Korean actually) and I couldn't remember the new girl's name. So I said, "Did you hear about the new girls car?" They were sort of shocked that I refered to her as a girl (they picture a girl as under 12 years old). They thought I should have said lady, but the new girl is 27 and pretty cute. Would anyone here refer to her as a "lady"? I know it would seem weird to me, and I am posting this to see if my language is regional or most people would say this. Also, when would you call someone a "lady"?

[IwalkAlone]

I use "girls" about 99% of the time when talking about women. I use "guys" when talking about males. What you said seems completely natural to me.

[VanIslander]

To refer to a nearly thirtyyearold as a "girl" is outdated in some circles, due largely to the feminism of the eighties. I know women back in Canada who don't like it, some of whom don't show it when it's used, some who do jokingly resist the label.

It's like using "policeman" and "fireman" instead of police officer and firefighter.

I teach slang uses, often using a sentence form my students understand well: "Some people say ______ but, of course, they aren't really ______ ".

The more varied uses the students learn, the better!! (one of the benefits of them having a new native teacher every year or two)

[peppermint]

in this context, I'd say it's fine. Generally though, when adults refer to other adults as boys or girls, it makes the speaker seem childish, I think.

[Mashimaro]

I think 'girl' can be seen as a bit condescending. After seeing so much sexual inequality in korea/korean language, I probably view the english language in a different light now and am more careful about the words I use.

Funny that the korean coworkers would get on the PC bandwagon though, considering how completely un PC korean culture is.

[jangsalgida]

[ilovebdt]

I normally refer to my female friends as "girls", but if I was talking about a co-worker I wouldn't use it.

[ChimpumCallao]

it's fine.

27 is young. whoever gets offended by being called a girl is a twatt.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Recent advice from a friend of mine: when in fairly remote parts of Southeast Asia, don't tell the driver that you want to go some place where you can meet some 'girls' unless you're peadophile.

[seoulkitchen]

I always use girls or gals. The cougars in Windsor get a kick out of it.
Any 'woman' who would get offended by those terms sure aren't worth a roll in the hay in my book!




what about 'dudette'? Does that work?

[Qinella]

Girl is inappropriate. Women have traditionally been shown little respect by men in most cultures, and calling them "girl" when they clearly aren't is a throwback to an earlier, less enlightened (aka pre-feminism) era. Similarly, it's inappropriate to approach a group of men and women and say, "Hey guys!" A guy is male. Saying "guys" doesn't acknowledge the women in the group.

The dilemma is that the alternatives all sound strange. The laundry list:

Woman - Sounds too formal, and carries an implication of age. A woman, to me, is mid 30s, if not older, depending on vivacity and appearance.

Gal - This isn't 1920 and I'm not a 70-year-old country preacher telling a story from my youth.

Lady - This term should be used to denote status/behavior, as with Gentleman. "She is a lady." It is also intentionally formal. "Ladies and Gentleman." "Yes, m'lady?"

Female - Too scientific for regular speech.

Babe, Chick, Bird, Broad, Honey, etc. - Certainly not kosher in most situations.


I was brainwashed with feminist pedagogy in college, so that now I run that whole list through my head every time I must refer to an adult female. Often, I just go with "girl", only to retract and say, "I mean woman."

There needs to be a new word. Fang would be cool. "Did you hear about the new fang's car?"

Q.

[laogaiguk]

Turned this into a poll. While everyone has been helpful, I still don't really know when putting it all togther. So, I put 2 options. If you are not sure, don't vote Though I still appreciate anymore comments on why or not. Thanks.

[laogaiguk]

[Css]

Id have used girl in that situation as well..Its totally normal in the UK, even with women over 40..The new girl in the office...doesnt really matter how old she os...

Woman....Personally I think thats a bit rude..Im not sure why, I cant really explain it..The new woman...hmm I dunno.

The best would probably have been to say new teacher or whatever she was..

What kind of car was it by the way?

[laogaiguk]