Would you be offended?

[CathyBogart]

Last night I was talking with my mom and she said "Oh, did you know that <my childhood friend> had her baby this week?"

So I answered "No, I didn't! Is it male or female?"

My mom went off on me for using the terms male and female instead of "a boy or a girl". To me, well...that's just how I think. I wasn't trying to be offensive by using male and female, those are just the words that popped into my head.

Did I say something wrong?! Is it rude to refer to an infant as female instead of a girl?? (BTW, the baby is female, her name is Ella Marie) I'm really confused...if this is something that's going to be a problem, I want to avoid it in the future.

[RICHARD]

Last night I was talking with my mom and she said "Oh, did you know that <my childhood friend> had her baby this week?"

So I answered "No, I didn't! Is it male or female?"

My mom went off on me for using the terms male and female instead of "a boy or a girl".

I'd be a little miffed too.

After working in a hospital for a long time you see MALE, FEMALE and OTHER on any forms.....

You fogot one.

[CathyBogart]

I see! I really should have been more considerate.

I thought at first that she was annoyed with my use of the word "it" in the first sentence, that I should have said "is her baby..." Now I think I should have said "Oh, what was the gender?" to avoid any possible conflict.

I hate trying to make sure everything I say is totally PC. I'm nice, and polite, and I try not to say anything offensive.

[jenluckenbach]

I would not be offended by your question, but I must admit that I would have giggled. It is rather unusual to phrase it that way when talking about a human baby. I would probably have to tease you about being around animals too much. LOL

[Lady's Human]

sounds like someone is a little too sensitive.

[lizbud]

I would not be offended by your question, but I must admit that I would have giggled. It is rather unusual to phrase it that way when talking about a human baby. I would probably have to tease you about being around animals too much. LOL

This is almost exactly what I was thinking, almost word for word.

[CathyBogart]

I would not be offended by your question, but I must admit that I would have giggled. It is rather unusual to phrase it that way when talking about a human baby. I would probably have to tease you about being around animals too much. LOL

LoL, it's probably the truth! I'm taking so many vet tech classes right now I have medical terminology swimming around in my head 24-7.

[caseysmom]

I too thought it was because you were around animals a lot, but definetely nothing to get offended about.

[Muddy4paws]

To be honest calling a baby a female and male is something I dont think I've ever done, I refer to them as a baby girl or baby boy and for a child older its a boy or man depending on the ages, It might just be a way of speech in London but I've never see anyone get upset over this, I can see where you are coming from though

[GreyhoundGirl]

sounds like someone is a little too sensitive.

Exactly what I thought when I read this! I don't see why she would really care. I mean, you used a synonym instead. Does it really matter? It's like her being upset because you said large instead of big.

I wouldn't worry about it, I wouldn't have been offended by it. (Come to think of it, had I been in your shoes, I probably would have said the same thing )

[JenBKR]

I don't think I would have given it a second thought! Did your mom tell you why she was offended?

PS I also like pie

[GreyhoundGirl]

I never understand what these polls have to do with pie.

But of course, I like pie. Especially Mile High Mud Pie from Montanas. MMMmmmmmm !

[CathyBogart]

I don't think I would have given it a second thought! Did your mom tell you why she was offended?

PS I also like pie

She just told me that it was "inappropriate" to talk about human infants that way.

[CathyBogart]

"pie" was how another forum I went to made the "other" option. I liked it, so I kept it.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Ah....