Ma’am

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate 'ma'am. Nothing makes me feel older. I don't need you to know my name, though.

Where I grew up, you called all women ma'am, from your great grandmother all the way down to the 14 year old girl selling shaved ice at the pool. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a bestowing of respect, like "sir".

[Anonymous]

Do you prefer Madam?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Being respectful is "nails on a chalkboard" to some women, huh?

Good to know.



What would you prefer to be called instead?

If you know the person, their name is good. If you don't know their name, then you can go with nothing - it's not needed to have a polite conversation - or 'miss'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate 'ma'am. Nothing makes me feel older. I don't need you to know my name, though.

Where I grew up, you called all women ma'am, from your great grandmother all the way down to the 14 year old girl selling shaved ice at the pool. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a bestowing of respect, like "sir".

In my experience younger women are not called Ma'am. They are called "Miss". Sometimes "young lady".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it exasperating?

Because people like the OP go about life seeking out things to be angery about. And when they don't find enough legitimate things to be mad at, they create new things to slake their thirst for outrage.

It's a thing.


(As well as a mental disorder)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is sort of exasperating when a person who knows you calls you “ma’am”. Does it happen to you frequently?

It is polite. Too bad you were never taught manners. Also, in stores and restaurants employees are instructed to call men "sir" and women "Ma'am," because it shows respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate 'ma'am. Nothing makes me feel older. I don't need you to know my name, though.

Where I grew up, you called all women ma'am, from your great grandmother all the way down to the 14 year old girl selling shaved ice at the pool. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a bestowing of respect, like "sir".

In my experience younger women are not called Ma'am. They are called "Miss". Sometimes "young lady".

"Miss" sounds patronizing and dismissive. As does "young lady".

"Ma'am" conveys respect and equality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Being respectful is "nails on a chalkboard" to some women, huh?

Good to know.



What would you prefer to be called instead?

If you know the person, their name is good. If you don't know their name, then you can go with nothing - it's not needed to have a polite conversation - or 'miss'.

Fascinating.

So are words like "thank you" and "please" equally superfluous in a "polite conversation", as you'd call it?

We're obviously from very different places, and northern culture absolutely mystifies me sometimes for its complete lack of civility. Buy y'all don't even realize you're doing it.... bless your hearts.

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets old. You guys act like it's a horrible thing...it's not.

I don't mind ma'am at all, and I'm not from the south, and I'm in my mid 30s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you prefer Madam?

Maybe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate 'ma'am. Nothing makes me feel older. I don't need you to know my name, though.

Where I grew up, you called all women ma'am, from your great grandmother all the way down to the 14 year old girl selling shaved ice at the pool. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a bestowing of respect, like "sir".

In my experience younger women are not called Ma'am. They are called "Miss". Sometimes "young lady".

"Miss" sounds patronizing and dismissive. As does "young lady".

"Ma'am" conveys respect and equality.

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Fascinating.

So are words like "thank you" and "please" equally superfluous in a "polite conversation", as you'd call it?

We're obviously from very different places, and northern culture absolutely mystifies me sometimes for its complete lack of civility. Buy y'all don't even realize you're doing it.... bless your hearts.

It doesn't have the civility markers you expect. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate 'ma'am. Nothing makes me feel older. I don't need you to know my name, though.

Where I grew up, you called all women ma'am, from your great grandmother all the way down to the 14 year old girl selling shaved ice at the pool. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a bestowing of respect, like "sir".

In my experience younger women are not called Ma'am. They are called "Miss". Sometimes "young lady".

"Miss" sounds patronizing and dismissive. As does "young lady".

"Ma'am" conveys respect and equality.

This whole thread sounds like a prompt on my second grader's "fact or opinion" homework.

[Anonymous]

If you get a call from your DC’s school teacher and she says “ma’am”...that raises questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get a call from your DC’s school teacher and she says “ma’am”...that raises questions

What questions?

You are reading too far into this.