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

katiebythebay

I do not like to be called ma'am. I realize that it's intended to be respectful but it makes me feel like I'm middle aged (I'm only 28). I'd rather be called "Ms"

Any ladies feel the same way?

Yep. I remember the very first time I was called ma'am - I was something like 27 or 28 and it was said by a kid who may have been seven or eight.

I probably should have been glad he showed good manners, but I was devastated at being "old", lol.

davina614

I actually ind it quiet sweet when people (especially my southern tecallable coworkers) call me ma'am. It makes me feel like there are still respectable good mannered people out there.

suzzann666

i used to, but now i'm a tae kwon do student and we refer to everyone as "sir" or "ma'am"

kazzari

ma'am doesn't bother me... its 'hun' I can't stand... especially from like a 16 yr old cashier

Exactly what I was going to say! Although I do remember not liking being called ma'am before I had kids. Once you have kids that aren't brand new babies, I think they're going to call you ma'am, and it is meant to be respectful.

Clarimusic00

I dislike it when a female my age or only slightly older calls me "sweetie" or "honey". It really annoys me.

tsh0ck

for the anti-ma'amers, doesn't "yes, miss" or "yes, mister" sound ... weird?

hapoo100

strangely I havent been called ma'am since I lost the mewbs.

Gunnarbear

You are female. It is a sign of respect. be happy it's not something else.

Amanda_Bridges90

I love it! I'm from the south and it's just a way people show respect Nobody means any harm by it! I'm 21 and I get called ma'am all the time. And hun, and sweetie. It's just people's way of being polite and respectful. I would take it as a compliment

10acity

Doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, I've become very appreciative of any show of manners at all these days.

It does, however, annoy the snot out of me when strangers call me by pet names. I don't even know you-- I am certainly not your "honey", "sweetheart", "baby", etc. (Believe me, you'll be well aware when it becomes okay for you to call me any of those things!)

mdailey93

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:

You beat me to it

I'm the same way! I don't really mind ma'am usually, but 'hun' is so condescending. I think it's because I've heard it from so many teenage girls, and it's like they say it to piss you off. Lol.

Tristis

Chill out...there are much worse things to be called.

ForeverIrish

Ma'am will be fine with me when I'm 85, wearing polyester pants, riding the casino bus on my way to play bingo with the girls. My glasses will be on a lanyard around my neck adorned with tiny skull and crossbones.

Silver_Star

i live in the South... EVERY man and his brother calls me Ma'am!!!:laugh: :grumble:

Elizabeth_C34

I used to, then I married a soldier. Now I kind of like it heh. Well, from everyone except him LOL

Same here. Hubby is an army vet, so all his army buddies call me ma'am. I kind of like it though.

lightinthedarkness94

I remember being in Mexico and every person on the street would yell "Hey, lady" to get your attention. They meant no disrespect by it, but both me and my mom were offended by it. I'm not yet 20, so I just get confused when people call me ma'am, but I know they mean well. And I definitely think it's better to be a bit too polite than impolite.

ednabnana

Don't live around soldiers or the southern states....you'll get wrinkles from annoyance.

Pebble321

It doesn't happen to me very often (I think it's a US thing, Aussies are much more informal) so when it does, it makes me giggle - it seems like they would be talking to someone else who is older or more deserving of respect.

Sweetred82

It sounds kind of HOT ma'am! LOL! I guess it depends on how you use it.

sexyrosey

I hate it with a passion. I turned 30 this year and now everyone calls me ma'am, it blows. MY boyfriend says i still look young but i hate it I get so mad about it and i am happy person normally. :grumble:

katscott52

The first time I was ever called "ma'am" I was 28 and I felt the same way. But what's worse is now that I'm almost 60 I have people calling me "miss", "honey", "sweetie", etc. Can you imagine being called "miss" by a guy who could be my grandson? That's offensive!!

darrcn5

Nah, I am from the South, so it is pretty common to call anyone even slightly older than you ma'am or sir. As long as I don't get called sir, I am happy

blissfuljensen

Ma'am is not a sign of age but of respect. I'd rather be called Ma'am then other terms people commonly use.

Cmonnowguys

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:

You beat me to it

I'm the same way! I don't really mind ma'am usually, but 'hun' is so condescending. I think it's because I've heard it from so many teenage girls, and it's like they say it to piss you off. Lol.

I cringe when I'm talking to an older man or woman and they repeatedly call me "Hun", "honey", or "sweetie". I understand that they are trying to be nice, friendly, comforting, etc, but the only person who can call me any sort of pet name should be a close relative or significant other, not the cashier at a gas station. UGH.

P.S. I am from New York city though, so I know we don't like the super friendly stranger concept, lol.

cowgirlup327

I grew up in the south and I remember my mom loathing the term "ma'am." She would never let any of my friends call her "ma'am" or even "Ms. [Last Name]." She just wanted to be called by her first name. I think it sort of became a funny thing to me because now I jokingly refer to my dog as "ma'am." Hehe.

shoegal517

for the anti-ma'amers, doesn't "yes, miss" or "yes, mister" sound ... weird?

that does...but why does it have to be "yes ____" ? I personally would prefer "have a good day miss" to "have a good day, ma'am".... but I'm not saying I'm offended by Ma'am, it isn't my fave...

I do think it's interesting how defensive people get about it- hearing that certain people aren't a fan. I'm not saying it's wrong or being disrespectful to your southern culture or whatever...

tsh0ck

my ma'ams typically follow either a 'yes' or a 'no.'

jkleon86

You are female. It is a sign of respect. be happy it's not something else.

yes when I was a kid it bugged me my have being a (tom boy and all) but once I grew up I realize it was a sign of respect and as a lady I DO LIKE TO BE RESPECTED

kazzari

The first time I was ever called "ma'am" I was 28 and I felt the same way. But what's worse is now that I'm almost 60 I have people calling me "miss", "honey", "sweetie", etc. Can you imagine being called "miss" by a guy who could be my grandson? That's offensive!!

I agree completely.

CeeRawr89

Yep, I'm 22 and get called Ma'am...