Speaking generously, I can see what you mean. But I think people only have this problem when they are used to calling people “girls” far too long. If you shake that bad habit, you won’t find yourself coming into conflict with these terms so often.
May I suggest the term “young women” as a highly respectful way to refer to younger folks. And if you are truly in doubt or referring to a mixed group, “ladies” is an alternative too.
I don’t recommend “chicks.” Some people are okay with it but many are not. A chick is a newly hatched bird, so this is quite infantilizing.
Speaking generously, I can see what you mean. But I think people only have this problem when they are used to calling people “girls” far too long. If you shake that bad habit, you won’t find yourself coming into conflict with these terms so often.
May I suggest the term “young women” as a highly respectful way to refer to younger folks. And if you are truly in doubt or referring to a mixed group, “ladies” is an alternative too.
I don’t recommend “chicks.” Some people are okay with it but many are not. A chick is a newly hatched bird, so this is quite infantilizing.
Being in my thirties “young women” feels like I’m trying to play some sort of epstien judo
“Dudette”
Nobody really knows what to make of it because they seem to think they’re encountered a time-traveling surfer.