<p>I wonder how much of this “ladies” issue is a generational thing. My D used ladies the other day when referring to a group of girlfriends. “We ladies blah-blah-blah.” I wouldn’t say that, but I certainly don’t find it offensive.</p>
<p>Too late to edit! Did anybody mention “a genleman’s gentleman”?</p>
<p>As a middle school teacher, I often address my class as “ladies and gentlemen”. The other day one of my female students (in VERY short shorts) hopped up on top of a dress and sat Indian style. I asked her to please get down, when she asked why I told her that it was not very ladylike. She replied, “that’s what my mom always says. I’m not a lady!”</p>
<p>When I was in middle school, being told something wasn’t very “ladylike” would’ve been the green light for me to continue doing whatever it was 
</p>
<p>(Now being told flat out that my underwear was showing- which is what I’m assuming happened or was close to happening, would’ve made me change my sitting position very quickly!)</p>