For the ladies: What do you call your female friend or best friend? (girlfriends, married)

[PurpleLove08]

I called a massage place yesterday to schedule a COUPLE'S massage for my girlfriend and I.
When I mentioned the couple's massage, the woman asked, "Oh, for you and your husband?" [Thanks for assuming every woman is heterosexual AND married....] I replied, "No, my girlfriend and I." "Oh your friend."

I didn't feel like correcting her because once my girlfriend and I get there, all will be clarified.

I feel like the term "girlfriend" in reference to a female friend is more of a term that middle aged women use.

So ladies, what do you call your female friend or female best friend?

[ChessieMom]

I use the term "girlfriend" to refer to my female friends. I have ALWAYS used that term, and my young cousins use it as well - heck every female I know uses it. Not sure why you think it is a term used mostly by older women.

[TheImportersWife]

generally I say friend unless for whatever reason the friend's gender is pertinent to the conversation, then I'll say "girlfriend of mine" or "male friend of mine".


And I haven't used the term "Best Friend" since elementary school. I have "close" friends.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

I use the term "girlfriend" to refer to my female friends. I have ALWAYS used that term, and my young cousins use it as well - heck every female I know uses it. Not sure why you think it is a term used mostly by older women.

Most of the females my age that I talk to say, "my friend [their name]" or "my best friend [that person's name]." Not, "my girlfriend..." and most of the women I've encountered who have used the term "girlfriend" in reference to a friend are older than me...say....35-40+.

[JustJulia]

My husband is my best friend, so I voted "my friend;" however, when my best friends were female, I did call them my best friends and not just my friends. I don't use "girlfriend" in non-romantic ways, but I know people who do.

I'm curious: If you and this girlfriend are a couple, was this woman implying something about how couples massages are not for gay people? I don't know if I am reading too much into what you said.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

Most of the females my age that I talk to say, "my friend [their name]" or "my best friend [that person's name]." Not, "my girlfriend..." and most of the women I've encountered who have used the term "girlfriend" in reference to a friend are older than me...say....35-40+.

Perhaps a geographical thing. It's a very often used term here.

[Pikantari]

If I had a female best friend, I would call her just that. My best friend.

It just so happens that my best friend is a male.

Now, if I for some reason jumped over the fence, and like you, had a girlfriend, I would do exactly as you did and call her my girlfriend.

I must say, though, I have heard plenty of females refer to their friends who are women as girlfriends.

You could get all PC on them and say she is your Female SO... I don't know!

[FlaGrrrl]

Yeah.. I'm in my 30s and I call girls who are friends: girlfriends. If we're close I might say, my girl.. or my good friend. Lol.. if I'm talking to her: chicka, babe, doll, sweetie, sweetheart, honey, etc. I like terms of endearment in general, tho. I think they're kinda fun :-) If we're super tight.. sometimes I've called them 'sister' or 'sista' but I dunno.. can't get any more specific than that.

[Secret Samadhi]

I always just say "my friend, ______". I never thought about this being at all an age difference thing, but now that I think about it, I really can't recall a younger woman using "girlfriend". I know it still happens often enough; just when I'm not involved in the conversation, apparently.

[FlaGrrrl]

Originally Posted by Secret Samadhi

I always just say "my friend, ______". I never thought about this being at all an age difference thing, but now that I think about it, I really can't recall a younger woman using "girlfriend". I know it still happens often enough; just when I'm not involved in the conversation, apparently.

Thanks for the input doll