Young lady? Really?
So yesterday I went to drop off film at PhotoLab in Berkeley. There were a couple of people in line ahead of me and when it got to be my turn the guy behind the counter was all 'What can I do for you, young lady?'
Young Lady. I don't know what to do with being called 'young lady' anymore. When I was 20, it was patronizing as hell, but it was at least somewhat accurate. Now that I'm nearly 30 it's patronizing and confusing. 30 isn't old by any means, but it's not young either. Did this guy think I was 23? Or was this one of those things where you see a grandmother with her granddaughter and ask if they're sisters? Like, did he think I was 40 and would be flattered by being called 'young lady' or something? Also, this guy had to be in his late 30s/early 40s. So it's not even like he's old enough to be calling anyone 'young lady' in the first place.
I should have called him 'young man' when I left. As in 'Thank you, young man. You've been very helpful.'
Young Lady. I don't know what to do with being called 'young lady' anymore. When I was 20, it was patronizing as hell, but it was at least somewhat accurate. Now that I'm nearly 30 it's patronizing and confusing. 30 isn't old by any means, but it's not young either. Did this guy think I was 23? Or was this one of those things where you see a grandmother with her granddaughter and ask if they're sisters? Like, did he think I was 40 and would be flattered by being called 'young lady' or something? Also, this guy had to be in his late 30s/early 40s. So it's not even like he's old enough to be calling anyone 'young lady' in the first place.
I should have called him 'young man' when I left. As in 'Thank you, young man. You've been very helpful.'