Young Lady
Today on the metro I sat next to a man who seemed to be in his 50s. His stop was one before mine, and as we pulled into it (car still moving, not stopped eyt), he said, "Young lady, this is my stop."
I cannot, repeat, CANNOT stand being called "young lady". I mean, I'm almost 32. When do I stop being young ladied? I would never say, "Old Man, this is my stop" so why is it ok for him to point out my young appearance?
Is there a rule of thumb for this? A cut-off age or appearance when you stop getting young ladied? And (somehow I doubt this) is it the same age cut off for 'young man'?
I just find it extremely condescending, although I doubt that it was intended that way. Why couldn't he just say "excuse me, this is my stop?" I was the only one sitting next to him, so he didn't need the gender modifier in that statement. And, quite frankly, he didn't need to say anything at all. He had folded up his paper and was sitting up straighter - dead give away signals that the next stop was his. Most metro (and I'm sure other subway systems) riders have learned the tell-tale signs of when someone needs to be let out. Only if the person blocking you in is clearly not paying attention do you need to vocalize it.
Sorry to rant, it's just such a pet peeve of mine.
I cannot, repeat, CANNOT stand being called "young lady". I mean, I'm almost 32. When do I stop being young ladied? I would never say, "Old Man, this is my stop" so why is it ok for him to point out my young appearance?
Is there a rule of thumb for this? A cut-off age or appearance when you stop getting young ladied? And (somehow I doubt this) is it the same age cut off for 'young man'?
I just find it extremely condescending, although I doubt that it was intended that way. Why couldn't he just say "excuse me, this is my stop?" I was the only one sitting next to him, so he didn't need the gender modifier in that statement. And, quite frankly, he didn't need to say anything at all. He had folded up his paper and was sitting up straighter - dead give away signals that the next stop was his. Most metro (and I'm sure other subway systems) riders have learned the tell-tale signs of when someone needs to be let out. Only if the person blocking you in is clearly not paying attention do you need to vocalize it.
Sorry to rant, it's just such a pet peeve of mine.