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Anyone else hate to be called "ma'am"?

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  • Posts: 559
    I personally don't care for it, but I suppose I candeal with it :grumble: haha
  • Posts: 3,863 Member
    Yea, I totally hate it when someone goes out of their way to be respectful to me.


    I'd much rather be called a stupid b.
  • Posts: 44
    i was always told in the service they are forced to say it but what it really means is ***** LOL and i hate it unless i have a whip in my hand that is ( just kidding ):tongue:
  • Posts: 200
    I put on the military uniform everyday for work - it comes with the territory.
  • Posts: 505 Member
    show previous quotes

    ^ this exactly. My mother is southern and very traditional. It's just how I was raised. It doesn't phase me one bit to be addressed as Ma'am. In fact, it puts a smile on my face when someone (especially a young person) has the good sense to use it.

    Agreed. I admit the first few times I heard it, it kind of bothered me. Then I realized it's more about respect, which I'll take it, because let's face it, respect is sadly becoming a thing of the past.
  • Posts: 2,332 Member
    I prefer "dark mistress" ...which is what I make my kids call me...:wink:
  • Posts: 4,941 Member
    I'm from the UK near Liverpool so no one EVER uses the word ma'am.. I'd prefer to be called ma'am, rather than some of the words used here. :glasses:

    Come to Texas or really anywhere in the South and you would be called ma'am... it's primarily a southern thing. Though military brats from all regions may have it drilled in their heads as well. :wink:
  • Posts: 6,990 Member
    I used to hate it. I guess I'm used to it now.
  • Posts: 2,720 Member
    I SO feel you! I'm 36 but get mistaken for a teenager when I am freshly shaved so I get called boy all the time.
  • Posts: 248 Member
    I live in Texas and work in retail. Every customer is Sir or Ma'am when I'm at work even though I am older than most of them. It's a sign of respect and I expect the same when I'm on the other side of the counter. It's a term of respect, not age. :smile:
  • Posts: 4,123 Member
    me!!! although i appreciate that it comes out of respect, it makes me feel old! so on some occasions, i'm called "ma'am." on other occassions, people think i'm in high school. ha.
  • Posts: 1,156 Member
    I live in Texas, I've heard ma'am all my life so it doesn't phase me.
  • Posts: 2,521 Member
    I happen to love it. I always have. I'm not old, I don't look old, so why would I take it as a sign of age?

    It's polite, and sometimes it's freaking hot.
  • Posts: 723 Member
    I hate being called Mister even more. It happens from the back more than I'd like.
  • Posts: 169 Member
    I use ma'am to almost everyone, even if they are in their teens/20's. Most find that appealing when it is said in the right way from the right person. It isn't a term of age, it is a term of respect. Well, I either use that or b*tch. Lol.
  • Posts: 523 Member
    This is a funny thing. In the UK some people say Sir or Madam. I worked several customer services jobs and I never called them sir or madam as I would feel ridiculous saying it. Don't get me wrong I was still polite and courteous and never got any complaints.

    I wonder how I would deal with the ma'am thing if I was in the states.
  • Posts: 1,759 Member
    I think the sentiment of this thread is based around an unrealistic expectation that "others should just know how to treat me." And I think that's an unnecessary (but far too common) set up for resentment and wadding of undergarments.
  • Posts: 1,573 Member
    I know it's supposed to be a sign of respect but I gotta say it does make me feel kinda old...
  • Posts: 1,290 Member
    I used to have an issue with it, and then looked into the "age frame" for being called miss instead of ma'am.

    Basically, if you're over 18.....Sorry ladies!!

    Plus, working on an AF Base? You have no choice but to get over it. It's everywhere.
  • Posts: 147 Member
    I am southern and ex-military, so...

    It's not a derogatory term. It's a term of respect.
  • Posts: 37 Member
    To all who hate it: Please forgive this southern girl. I say it to everyone, even my peers. I would have been smacked as a child if I did not address someone as sir or mam. Old habits die hard.
  • Posts: 146 Member
    I have to say, I never even thought of this offending anyone. I am Southern, and was raised to always say ma'am and sir. To me it is about respect. Even when I address my sons, or my nieces or nephews, if I ask them to do something it is, "Could you ______________, please ma'am." or "Could you ____________________, please sir". I feel weird if I don't say it.
  • Posts: 2,005 Member
    Obviously those who are offended do not live in the South. Yes and no ma'am is taught to children as soon as they can talk . My 4 year old says yes ma'am. It is a sign of simple respect and has nada to do with your age.
  • Posts: 723 Member
    ma'am doesn't bother me... its 'hun' I can't stand... especially from like a 16 yr old cashier

    i dont mind ma'ma either....omgsh tell me about it i hate being called hun.....and women ya i work at a bank and this lady comes in all the time and she says "hey woman" to me everytime..........seriously i dont think so!!! im a bank teller not your best friend i dont know you so dont call me woman
  • Posts: 235 Member
    I don't mind ma'am because I think it has alot to do with your culture (southerners like it, for example). I am not senstive about my age so I think that helps...you are always an "old fogie" to SOMEONE.

    What I HATE though is "honey" or "sweetie" or any other term of endearment. I know it is a cultural thing too but I just feel so...violated? when someone I don't know refers to me in a familiar, intimate way like that. :sick:

    DON'T CALL ME YOUR HONEY WOMAN!! :mad:

    ^^ What she said. Many people are just raised to say "ma'am" and "sir" along with "please" and "thank you". It's just a sign of respect. I accept that I'm old. Being offended that I'm older then someone is like being offended because I have brown eyes or that I'm 5'6".
  • Posts: 2,756 Member
    that and being called sir.
  • Posts: 2,810 Member
    Eh I live in the south, I'm used to it. Even guys I work with who are probably my age or older, but are in a lower ranking professional role than I am call me ma'am. Just kind of the every day vernacular here!
  • Posts: 313 Member
    Doesn't happen much in the UK - it's better than "madam" though! More likely to be called "dear" or "bach" here in Wales which is fine - as someone said earlier people are trying to be polite - there are so many worse things to be called!
  • Posts: 2,685 Member
    I'm 30. I don't mind it in the least. :) Makes me smile every time. I just think it's good manners to refer to strangers as ma'am or sir. *shrug* That's how I was raised.
  • Posts: 3,459 Member
    I'm from the UK...it's not something people day here. I find it hilarious when my American buddies call me it!
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