Originally Posted by
moondog
FYI, "xiaojie" is now a taboo word. Especially in the north, you should use 服务员 or 美女. And, with regards to Ptravel's wife, we should be even more respectful.
Heh, I've heard exactly the opposite -- that it's more of a taboo in the south, i.e., Shenzhen/Guangzhou where this particular meaning originated. Of course there's also the suggestion there of substituting it with 靚女, the Cantonese equivalent of 美女.
Honestly I don't buy this taboo story as I still hear it used everywhere in the non-derogatory sense.