What do you like to be called?

[christiangirl]

I thought this would be a cool topic on here, and I didn't see it anywhere else. My org. had a forum during Black History month and at one point the conversation turned toward men using the b-word at women. Then, it went on to how we are addressed in general. My old roommate brought up a point that no matter what term is used, there's always going to be SOMEBODY who doesn't like it. There's always going to be those who'll trip if they get called a "b" or a ho (even if by slang definitions, that's exactly what her behavior makes her) and there's going to be somebody who hates being called ma'am (makes them feel old), or miss (sounds condescending), or miss lady, etc. Then we discussed how the word "female" is sometimes used to instead of "b," but one girl was even offended by that. What do you guys think and what do you prefer to be called and why?