Topic: What to call a girl

[DaveBarbier]

This probably is for the younger crowd (under 35?) but I've always wondered this.

I'll set the hypothetical scene. You're 25 years old and in the grocery store and in front of you is a guy your own age. He drops his grocery list without noticing. To get his attention you say, "Hey man..." or "Hey buddy..." or "Excuse me pal..." "...you've dropped something."

Now let's say it's a girl in front of you the same age. What do you say? At 25 I wouldn't ever say, "Excuse me miss..." to a girl my own age. Even me being 31 that sounds weird. I think there's no term to use. Ma'am? No. Broad? Maybe...

[70CB750]

I would say Excuse me or Excuse me, Ma'am - doing her a favor, why would I worry about being weird?

But what do I know, I am a foreigner. 

[DaveBarbier]

I wouldn't say I'm worried, it just seems weird to me to say "ma'am" or "miss" to a girl my own age. It's like a 20 year old guy saying, "excuse me sir" to another 20 year old guy. As I get older, sure it makes perfect sense. But someone in their 20's? All I'm trying to find is a female equivalent of "hey man" or "hey bud" and I'm curious why there isn't one.

Edit: I think I'm sticking with "toots" until I get slapped.

[Stev-o]

Did she cut in front of you in the line at the grocery store? If yes, #$%* would be the proper name to call her!

[70CB750]

Stev-o is the charmer 

[chewbacca5000]

Did she cut in front of you in the line at the grocery store? If yes, #$%* would be the proper name to call her!

Pretty harsh don't you think?  What's next having her bag your groceries, take them to your car, and cook you dinner when you get home?  Dude you are a savage.

Now I got this hypothesis that if you can train a cat, you can train a woman.  Jury is still out. 

[GV1390]

I would say Excuse me or Excuse me, Ma'am - doing her a favor, why would I worry about being weird?

+1

Besides, getting weird is fun, even at the grocery store! 

[DaveBarbier]

Now I got this hypothesis that if you can train a cat, you can train a woman.  Jury is still out.

Kind of ironic Siegfried and Roy are gay...

[DaveBarbier]

I would say Excuse me or Excuse me, Ma'am - doing her a favor, why would I worry about being weird?

+1

Besides, getting weird is fun, even at the grocery store! 

Yeah, but I'd have to tip my cowboy hat after she says thanks.

[chewbacca5000]

Now I got this hypothesis that if you can train a cat, you can train a woman.  Jury is still out.

Kind of ironic Siegfried and Roy are gay...

Yeah I guess so.

[chewbacca5000]

The proper way to speak to her, Dave is "Miss" if she's single, "Ma'am" if she's wearing a ring. Come south, Heathen and learn some etiquette! Cotillion classes are Friday and Saturday nights.

Cal that might work great in the South, but up North the women have a tendency to be a bit more independent, and some have forgotten they are women all together.  Another reason I want to move south.  In those cases no matter how you address them it is going to trigger a reaction.  If that happens slowly walk away.

Case in point.
 

[DaveBarbier]

The proper way to speak to her, Dave is "Miss" if she's single, "Ma'am" if she's wearing a ring. Come south, Heathen and learn some etiquette! Cotillion classes are Friday and Saturday nights.

I've got me some good etiquette. I was on a date once and I held the door for her as we went into the restaurant...but there was a small vestibule and another door right in front of her. I grabbed her arm and held her back from opening that one. She struggled and tried to reach it but I held her back and got in front and opened that one too. Gentleman.

[madmtnmotors]

What's next having her bag your groceries, take them to your car, and cook you dinner when you get home?

Among other things...     

[DaveBarbier]

I was on a date once and I held the door for her as we went into the restaurant...but there was a small vestibule and another door right in front of her. I grabbed her arm and held her back from opening that one. She struggled and tried to reach it but I held her back and got in front and opened that one too. Gentleman.

See, you got that wrong. Open the first door and step inside, holding the door open behind you, allowing her to pass (use your left hand) then with your right hand, grab the next door. (Obviously, reverse hands if the hinges are on the left. This allows you to reach both doors, letting her pass, and you can close the door behind her.

I'll expect you tomorrow night, Dave, 7:00 sharp. Coat and tie required. 

I can see it now...

[Duke McDukiedook]

The proper way to speak to her, Dave is "Miss" if she's single, "Ma'am" if she's wearing a ring. Come south, Heathen and learn some etiquette! Cotillion classes are Friday and Saturday nights.

She could be a Caitlan and then you say "Excuse me Pat...".

[Demon67]

How about just plain old "Hey there" then, "I think you dropped this"
gender neutral.
Bill the demon.

[Gene]

"Excuse me", or "Pardon", polite tap on the shoulder "You dropped this."

Cal, half my people are from the south and we did learn to be polite - even as we were insulting one another, but it still sounded genteel.

I have used Ma'am since I was very young for all women and Sir for men regardless of age or marital status.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Hard to go wrong with Ma'am or Sir even if they are a Pat.

[Gene]

Hard to go wrong with Ma'am or Sir even if they are a Pat.

Si.

[DaveBarbier]

How about just plain old "Hey there" then, "I think you dropped this"
gender neutral.
Bill the demon.

Problem with that is, let's say there's a girl and there's a couple guys around. I want something to single her out. If there was a guy and a bunch of girls around and I say, "Hey bud..." everyone knows I'm talking to the guy.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Is there a particular reason to end it with "miss" or "ma'am"?  If there is no particular reason, why not simply, "Hello" or "Excuse me" or other greeting?

[Gene]

Of course much of the replies are in jest, and are the result of "thought" not circumstance reaction. But, odd how this has become something that requires "consideration". What in the world has become of the world where social interaction requires consideration to avoid offending someone, in the event of trying to help them?

Kill them with kindness is my only weapon. 

Many of them are carrying more dangerous weapons than kindness.  Ergo - consideration is required.

[madmtnmotors]

I wonder what "Dear Abby" thought about the motorcycle related posting on her forum...

  

[faux fiddy]

After you figure out what to call her, ask her out for coffee.

[img ]http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/images/#$%*-mug1-640x533.jpg[/img]

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/images/#$%*-mug1-640x533.jpg

Edit: I guess I should know the strange reason this photo doesn't post?

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/images/#$%*-mug1-640x533.jpg

Click here and scroll down a bit...

http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/topic/107805-skip-bayless-defending-mean-green/

[DaveBarbier]

But, odd how this has become something that requires "consideration". What in the world has become of the world where social interaction requires consideration to avoid offending someone, in the event of trying to help them?

I don't agree that is has become something to consider due to fear of offending. At least that was not my reason for posting. I do see many people think "I'm offended" is an argument which is crazy. People get offended, get over it.

But I was only pointing to the weird fact that there is no female "buddy" or "bro" or "pal" equivalent. Like, what do broads say when they're together? They just call each other by their names?