Calling adult sisters 'the girls'

I wouldn’t be offended at all, as your friend(s) are beswitched, I’m surprised they haven’t been vocal in their dislike before reaching their 60’s.

Some women dislike being referred to as a lady. I’ve seen that opinion on GN before now.

My oldest DD’s graduation ceremony began by the audience being addressed as ‘Ladies and gentlemen’. When my dd2 graduated, the speech began with ‘Men and women.’ I was quite cross at being demoted to second place!

I dare say the next change will be ‘Prostate havers and cervix havers’.

I don't like referring to children as kids. My aunts used to refer to older unmarried ladies as spinsters.

Actually I agree with you mostly Baggs. As I said up thread I have no problem being called a girl, even though I’m clearly no longer a girl.

When I said that a group of women could be called ladies, I meant in the context of, for example, a restaurant. So a waiter may approach a group of women seated at a table and may say,

‘What can I get for you girls?’

or

‘What can I get for you women?’

or

‘What can I get for you ladies?’

I know which I’d prefer, and it’s not women.
And of course it should be similar for men,

‘What can I get for you gentlemen?’ is perfectly appropriate. It’s also polite, as would be the use of the word ladies.

When I lived in Suffolk a group of us (now all over 70) used to get together one night per month, taking it in turns to host and everyone contributing towards the meal. That was, and still is, even though I no longer live there, referred to as girls night. To call it ladies night would seem a bit naff, reminiscent of the time when occasionally mens' groups would organise a "Ladies Night".

Oh I agree with you Dinahmo and it just goes to show that context is everything. Mind you, it’s still called Ladies Day at the races, though I’ve never been. Maybe I’m not a lady

nadateturbe

I don't like referring to children as kids. My aunts used to refer to older unmarried ladies as spinsters.

My parents used to often refer to us all as 'the kids and grandkids' eg "we're going away for the long weekend with the kids and grandkids'. It didn't bother us at all.

I think spinster was a common expression amongst an older generation, but I only hear people use it nowadays in an ill informed stereotyping kind of way.

I suppose language changes and evolves. Bachelor is becoming a bit of a dated expression.

Jaxjacky

I wouldn’t be offended at all, as your friend(s) are beswitched, I’m surprised they haven’t been vocal in their dislike before reaching their 60’s.

They have laughingly said I think we're a bit old to be called the girls now.
But I think they feel it's not worth getting into a confrontation or being rude to elderly relatives over.

Just one of those minor irritations in life that people grit their teeth and put up with I suppose.

Your righ Beswitched it is hard to get it right, it’s not only females.
My husband plays golf and him and his golfing buddies sometimes go on golfing trips , he always goes away with the “boys” ?
I also know someone who has 3 unmarried brothers who share a house , they are also known as the boys as in “oh we went to see the boys today
I’m sure majority of people who use the term boys/girls usually mean it as a term of affection.

I think the terms used are quite endearing. Naming everyone seems very formal to me, unless necessary.

I am guilty I zoom with two friends weekly, and say to my Husband " I have a zoom meeting with the girls this evening" both are over seventy.

Rather be one of the girls than be labelled old dears

My brother has 5 boys ranging in age from 26 - 40. They are still referred to as ‘the children’

My OH is a woman and we are both 70+ and we are often called the girls when on cruises. It doesn’t bother me at all better than ‘here come the women’ or ‘here come the lesbians’!

My Mum referred to myself and my daughter as ‘My girls,’ as we cared for her 24/7/365. Sadly we lost her.

I’d give anything to hear her say ‘My girls’ just one more time ❤️

It was always a term of endearment for us, but I can see how the sisters would feel upset over it. I also had twin aunts and they were also referred to as the twins, until they both died.

In fact, they’re still the twins when we chat about them now. They were the only twins in the family so everyone knows who we mean.

^My parents used to often refer to us all as 'the kids and grandkids' eg "we're going away for the long weekend with the kids and grandkids'. It didn't bother us at all.

I think spinster was a common expression amongst an older generation, but I only hear people use it nowadays in an ill informed stereotyping kind of way.

I suppose language changes and evolves. Bachelor is becoming a bit of a dated expression.^

I have a friend who hates "kids" but we're all different.
Interesting that spinster is used in such a way nowadays and bachelor isn't.

My daughter and her husband (both approaching 40) get called "The Kids" by his parents. My daughter absolutely loathes it.

My sister and I are unmarried with no children in our 50s and my mum would of called us her girls until she died. In fact I was the youngest and I sometimes got introduced " this is my baby", I was in my 40s! No harm I say, it never really bothered me.

My mum has a dear friend she has always called "Young Pam". This was to separate her from another (older) Pam. Young Pam is now 85. Lol.

I used to laugh at my mother referring to her friends as girls, but how else would you refer to them collectively? I can think of worse things to be called. I’d rather be a girl than an old boiler.

I always refer to my two daughters as my ‘girls’ even though they are adults and my eldest has four children! I think I always will unless they object (which they don’t!). My son is always just that as there is only one of him or ‘ my boy’ if I am being overly ‘mummyish’! I do refer to he and my grandson as ‘the boys’ occasionally. I would stop if anyone didn’t like it though!!

if they hate it, surely its up to them to do something about it? I also think that its up to the individual whether or not they decide to feel demeaned by words IYSWIM?

I think it’s a silly thing to get upset about, we often refer to my brothers as the boys and of family members are talking about me and my sister then they say the girls, no big deal, we are all in our 50’s. There are a lot worse things to be called, would you really prefer the old bags , for example?

I don't mind it, I'm not particularly keen on the alternatives, women, lady

I go out regularly with 'the girls'. I'm 73 and they're both older than me. As a group we are referred to as 'the girls' by the cafe staff and we're happy with that.
My elderly aunts were always referred to as 'the girls' and they were the sort of women that would have said if they'd been insulted by the term.