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*standing up*
My name is RD and I am guilty of this.
*covering face*
OK, seriously, I do still refer to men and women, in coversation, as "girl" and "boy." I don't know why. In conversation, as a quick retort, I usually spout "Girl/boy, please!" I don't mean it was a means to belittle any man or woman, but it's just force of habit. I have been making a meaningful attempt to correct it since a guy I was conversing with "checked" me on it. I didn't even realize it until he got all loose and stated, "I'm not a boy. I'm a man." For a moment, I was confused as hell. Once he told me what I said, I apologized and began to make a conscious effort to correct it.
I don't think it's a subconscious means to put someone or myself down. I find that lots of folks that grew up in N.O. still refer to men/women as boys/girls just out of habit. Of course, out of respect for elders, we would never use those terms in reference to them. But if we are the same age, expect to be called a boy/girl. Another big one is to call them chicks/dudes.
I only use those words in very informal conversation and if anyone were to ever express discomfort with being referred to as such, I'd make every effort to correct it. It truly isn't intended to offend anyone.
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