Part of this (for me at least), has to do with how we were taught english in school. If they had clearly stated the direct translation from female to my native language, then nobody would have used it as a replacement for woman. I don't know of anyone who refers to women in my country by "kvinnkjonn". If you do, then you are clearly just looking to be offensive.
My point is, please educate us foreigners also, as the way we were thought english never had any emphasis on this. Don't assume that the foreign speaking person is being malicious.