I don’t mind being called ma’am. Out here (middle of nowhere, Appalachia) it’s pretty much the norm.
OP of the second post chiming in. Let it be known that I have not called her ma’am since the incident. In fact, her lone incident actually broke me of using it altogether. Sad, really. A lot of other women seemed to be receptive towards it.
Anyone remember the episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show called, “Today I Am A Ma’am”?
This was easily one of the best of the series.
To me it is just a sign of respect and good manners to address an adult woman as ma’am. Of course younger women should be addressed as “Miss” if you are not on a first name basis with them. It’s just good manners.
Thanks for the links. I guess I should have searched first before posting.
No harm done, ma’am.
Ouch.
It bothers me. Either they are insulting me, or my hearing is going.
How so?
No. It’s an appropriate form of address.
:mad:
I was raised in the south where ma’am is used frequently as a polite form of address. To me, it’s a courteous pleasantry. I’m always surprised when these threads pop up and learn how many people are offended by it. People try to explain why they find it annoying and I still don’t get it.
Moved MPSIMS --> IMHO.
It doesn’t both me at all. “Miss” does: it always seems a little patronizing. Part of this is my own hang up: I always wanted to be an adult, and when I was of an age where “miss” wasn’t entirely inappropriate, I still wanted to be seen as a “ma’am”. Now, however, I am old enough that if someone calls me “Miss” it really is patronizing, like a waiter carding you because he assumes you are distraught about your age and will be flattered that he asked.
If I travel North of the Mason-Dixon, how may I politely address women ?
Ma’am.
No wonder they call you…
Never mind.
I can annoy Yankees right here on the SDMB. I want to be nice to them.
It’s a reminder that I’m old and that I look old.
But that’s my issue and “excuse me, ma’am” really is the best alternative for a stranger to get my attention about something.
I use people’s names. That’s what they’re for.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to break the habit of saying ‘sir’ and “ma’am”.
Then again, I don’t know if I should. If someone doesn’t like being addressed politely, I don’t think that’s my problem.
I use both terms for young and old alike. Women in their teens are sometimes taken aback a bit; young men think it’s cool and do it back to me. It’s all good.