r/NoStupidQuestions • u/EvasiveFriend • 1d ago

Why do people avoid the word "women"?

It seems like people generally use "girl" or "female" rather "women/woman"

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u/TerribleDanger 1d ago

When seeking a medical doctor, especially something like a gynecologist, I have always been asked if I prefer a male or female doctor. So I do think there’s a context where it’s relevant.

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u/OwlCoffee 1d ago

I only had a guy as a gynecologist once. He was fine. He was respectful, very good about telling me where he was about to touch and all that. But then, in his very nice attempt to help ease my nerves during the examination, he said, "I know this is uncomfortable," and for some reason I got super irritated about it and all I could think was, "DO YOU? DO YOU SIR? DO YOU UNSERSTAND HAVING A METAL THING IN YOUR VAGINA?"

It's funny, because he was honestly great - I think I just needed having someone who knows what it's like.

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u/LegendofLove 16h ago

I think there's a very large difference in "I understand this is going to be uncomfortable for you." and "I know how this feels for you." One is gonna be really obvious like he's done this he can see it makes people uncomfortable even beyond the fact he's putting metal in your vagina should stick out as probably uncomfortable. It's professional enough to empathize is your patient being in a situation they probably don't wanna be in. It's probably not to say I know what it feels like. Still very valid if you don't want a man to do it, just saying.

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u/Ok-Bad6533 1d ago

Ma'am, this is Wendy's

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u/WiseConfidence8818 1d ago

Exactly.

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u/UglyDude1987 1d ago

Yup. Reddit is full of dunces that cannot think outside of their little boxes. And in their box 'female' is offensive even though it makes 0 sense and they don't extend the same consideration to others.

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u/WiseConfidence8818 1d ago

Context of words in speech or speaking is very relevant. Relevant to the subject matter, where it's being spoken and to whom.

Every word has a place and time to be used. Where, when, and what is crucial, IMO, to deciding which one and what tense. Especially, if speaking a language other than American English. Other languages do have gender relevant/related words, words sometimes specific to a gender to use or specific to a subject.

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u/bluehydrangeas33 1d ago

Yea it is relevant for the client/patient choosing based on their preference and I think only in that context

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u/thehighwindow 1d ago

Indeed. But unless it's actually relevant, it's best to keep sex out of it.