I was just wondering if any of you other gals here on the forum absolutely HATE being called "Ma'am!" I was called that the other day in the store, and it really irritated me! The reason it bothers me so much is that it makes me sound like an old woman with curling rollers in her hair. It really does! It makes me feel so old to be called that, and I'm still young!

I know they're just calling me "Ma'am" out of courtesy, but I can't stand it. I think we should ban all "Ma'ams" unless a southerner or RDA says it--then, it's just charming.

What do you think?

I have no problem with being called Ma'am it being call darling and sweetie by strangers the irks me.

The first time somebody called me ma'am I was 22 years old. My friends thought it was hilarious and nearly laughed themselves sick over it.

I agree with MEP. I don't have any problem with being called Ma'am. It's those people (especially men) who think they can get away with it calling you "baby" or "sweetheart" when you don't even know them.

Gives me a rash

I don't generally have a problem with it....but I'm wondering when I crossed the line from "Miss" to "Ma'am."

'Ma'am' is an endearing title to me, though it does make me feel a little old... so do the many grey hairs I have growing in!

When it's used with respect by a stranger, I have no problems (besides my ego). It's when they call me 'sister' that I get irritated. I know that it is just as much a type of respect, but I just hate it.

I don't mind it. In this day in age when manners are failing, and the term "Miss" is way beyond the younger generation's venacular, I appreciate it actually.

Wait! Yeah.

I usually get it when I'm being carded anyway. So are they being polite? or stupid?

Oh god! Don't get me started! Where's the crying icon?

I got "sweetie" 'd the other day. But I didn't mind it because at the time I was being sweet.

What? Yeah, one of the rare occassions.

Maybe it's just time for your spring shearing.

People here who want to get my attention when they don't know my name mainly use Lass or Quine. Well, if they are older or around the same age as me anyway.
If they are younger than me its mostly been Miss...so far.

I feel sorry for men. We have it easy really. We can call unknown males of all ages Sir when being polite... can't we?

... or for more informal occasion, the ubiquitous 'Dude'!

Personally I hate being called Ma'am.

Oh Rock, I'm sure you do.

Rocky!!

Gee Rock I would have Neve gussed.

Well.... some guys get a kick out of it....?

SHEEPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


EEEWWW jsut EEEWWW thank you so much.

Sheepy and MEP- I must be the only one left on earth who is still accepting of a little sexual harassment! When I'm "sweetied" or "babied" or "girlied" I'm always like "Oh my, well thank you!" I'm so pathetic. I guess cuz I know someday those type of comments will end, and I'm just enjoying it while I can! (Although truly lewd or disrespectful comments are never OK and shouldn't be acceptable to anyone. Just thought I'd add that caveat, haha.)

I don't think "ma'am" is a negative thing, or even an "old" thing. I think it's just a respect thing. I've never been ma'amed, but I would love it. To me it would say "The world is accepting of you as a real grown up now." I think I've handled enough responsibilities to deserve this, but because I'm small and enthusiastic, I feel people don't take me seriously. Like, if you look like a kid, we're not going to give you the respect of "ma'am" no matter what! If you're not physically imposing, it's just hard to command any kind of respect, but that's a whole nother story...

So if you get "ma'amed" ladies, I would take it as a compliment!

Devon I have you ever had a guy act as if you have NO BRAIN? Well I have and it not fun the guys that were doing it were the ones calling me Sweetie or Darling.

It one thing if it a guy my grandfather's age calling I just blow it off, now my parents or my own age group, HELL NO.

Maybe it’s the company you keep. Or maybe they’re being sarcastic because of that mouth you’ve got.

Nymph the jerks were costumers at the Texaco I worked at . Trust me I would never hang out with them, willingly.

Me too.

Well howdy, ma'ams.

I don't know when I would start calling someone 'ma'am'. Think it depends on how they look. I wouldn't call a grandmother 'Miss' but I wouldn't call a 25-year old 'Ma'am' either.

But I think I know how you feel. I think I would feel like the same way if someone called me 'sir' or 'mister'. I think I'd prefer 'young man' or something. However 'sir' and 'mister.' It's all the same to me.
When someone starts calling me 'honey' or something like that, well depends again who it says.

Me too.

Well howdy, ma'ams.

I don't know when I would start calling someone 'ma'am'. Think it depends on how they look. I wouldn't call a grandmother 'Miss' but I wouldn't call a 25-year old 'Ma'am' either.

But I think I know how you feel. I think I would feel like the same way if someone called me 'sir' or 'mister'. I think I'd prefer 'young man' or something. However 'sir' and 'mister.' It's all the same to me.
When someone starts calling me 'honey' or something like that, well depends again who it says.

Very funny MG

Yea cute girl in a club flirting with ya, you might take it form, Someone your grandmother age you WILL take it from right MG?

Now me Calling you honey would make you run for the Hills

Smarty pants.

I get "girlie" a lot in the GI Joe forums. Probably because I'm the token girl in most cases. LOL...of course there was one forum where I got called "dude" or something like that because he didn't realize I was a girl...LOL... Poor kid got ribbed pretty hard from some of the other guys. But I was ok with it. lol. I'm obviously easy to get along with...

Smile.

Maybe.

Not.

Maybe.

I don't mind being called "Ma'am" or "Miss." In this day and age in the U.S. when rudeness has become the norm, I think someone addressing me formally is a sign of class. Also, if I'm somewhere (like a restaurant) and I'm trying to get the attention of someone whose name I don't know, I address them as Sir or Ma'am.

When I took taekwondo in college, we ALWAYS addressed junior and senior students and our instructors as Mr. or Miss, or Sir or Ma'am. That kind of goes with the territory in martial arts, which come out of a much more formal society.

As for "honey" or "sweetie" or something similar, it depends on the context. If it's a coworker or someone I'm comfortable with, it's fine. Also, I don't mind it from a male stranger if he's clearly just trying to be nice. If he were to say it in a leering or suggestive tone (and I can tell), then we'd have issues.

Not.

Well I was thinking you did something sweet for the little old lady. I didn't mean she was trying to do a Mrs. Robinson on ya.
Sorry.

Maybe.

Love you too MG

Same here.

I hate being called ma'am, especially in shops like Waitrose, it makes me feel like an old lady. It also makes me feel awkward as if the person whose saying it is a servant in the inferior sense and I know they are not, we are all equal. I know its meant to be courteous but I just don't like the feelings it engenders.

Also I hate being called 'love', 'darling', 'babe', or anything else like that especially by a complete stranger and usually men.

Am I getting old??? probably!!!!!



PS I love this cat where can I get it????

I was only called ma'am once and I kinda liked it. xD
One thing I HATE being called is Precious. I could just disappear. It's my first name but I, do. Not. Like it. I've also been called sweetheart, little girl, etc....Hehe but I had no problem with it because it was coming from Robert Conrad. xD

I'm in the UK, where it's not common to call anyone Ma'am unless it's the Queen...

Here it tends to be Sir or Miss/Missus. Except in this particular corner of the North, where it's more usual to get called Cock or Flower (no, it's not considered rude)

I don't mind being called ma'am all that much. The first time it happened I was 20 yrs old!!
Of course the young man who said it was 10.