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

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Replies

  • BEAUTY4UBEAST
    BEAUTY4UBEAST Posts: 372
    Southern Hospitality here.... Yes ma'am... part of my raising...

    Had a lady respond to me with frustartion because I said go ahead ma'am you can go in front of me in line...

    She responed dont call me tht.. I dont like it... thts rude... haha I laughed and said nooo This is rude... B*tch take ya skank a&& to

    the back of the line... Really Really!!
  • aerochic42
    aerochic42 Posts: 843 Member
    Only when it is said in such a condescending tone, that you know in their heads they are replacing it with a MUCH worse word. Of course that's being somewhat hypocritcal,as I'll do that when annoyed but still need to remain polite.

    hun, sugar, darling only bother me when it's clearly an affected term not a natural habit. Only my husband can call me sweetie :)
  • whitneysin
    whitneysin Posts: 605 Member
    I just got called ma'am in the parking lot by somebody older than me. I was wearing yoga pants, a long t, a hoodie, and sneakers so maybe I looked like a soccer mom. I'm 27, and apparently, constantly a ma'am now.

    From now on, I'm seriously taking everyone out who calls me ma'am. Why are we ma'am'd due to our age when all men are sir, regardless of age.

    Unless I live in the southernest part of the south. F*** that.
  • ashleydet1002
    ashleydet1002 Posts: 10
    I'm from the South so it doesn't faze me. I raised my kids to say yes ma'm/sir and no ma'm/sir.
  • CAS317
    CAS317 Posts: 267 Member
    HELL YEAH!!!!
  • triciab79
    triciab79 Posts: 1,713 Member
    Nope I like being called ma'am. I was raised in the South and it is a sign of respect.
  • MizVandyk
    MizVandyk Posts: 602 Member
    I'm from the South, it doesn't bother me its a respect thing. I use ma'am and sir all the time for people older younger and the same age as me
  • tiffanyrose519
    tiffanyrose519 Posts: 107 Member
    I hate it too!! I feel like only older ladies should be called ma'am...
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Ugh, hate it. I remember the first person who called me "ma'am", too.
  • triciab79
    triciab79 Posts: 1,713 Member
    Why do you need a term at all, it's 2012? If you're trying to get someone's attention a simple "excuse me" will do and if you're greeting someone how about just "hello" are "how are you today?" That's how most people address everyone else except for the women they are rudely making age assumptions about?

    Ma'am in my opinion is simply rude it's basically someone addressing someone based on their judgement or assumption of their physical appearance in some way. I'm not a feminist, but I do think it is sexist and rude to call woman ma'am then address a woman who is clearly older then her, behind her in line say...as "miss" because the next woman may be dressed a certain way or to address two friends of the same age differently (one as miss the other as ma'am) which is in such a case another incorrect assumption. The term is rude and outdated and in some circumstances quite insulting.

    This term and it's usage baffles me to no end. I'm in my 30's and some days I'm getting carded and called miss or dear and on other days I'm being ma'am'd like their is no tomorrow and its' usually based on how I'm dressed or how much sleep I've gotten or whether or not my allergies are acting up (aka based on nothing more then how I'm looking that day). It's simply rude. Why should women have to be addressed based on how they look whilst everyone else...not so much. Use common sense and address all women the way you address everyone else (just leave that ma'am crap out).

    Wow! I think you might be over thinking this one. The use of ma'am and miss is not meant to oppress you as a woman I promise. You might want to dislodge that stick a little it appears to have reached your brain.
  • sbussert
    sbussert Posts: 72 Member
    I totally hate it... cause.... well, I'm a guy... :)
  • DottieNewton
    DottieNewton Posts: 112 Member
    I was raised in a society that we were taught to call people "ma'am and sir" IT IS A TITLE OF RESPECT. has NOTHING to do with age. Sorry if I offend anyone by using that title it is inbred. YES, I am older, but I have been calling people that all my life.. "NO Offense intended."
  • danibu98
    danibu98 Posts: 281 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:

    Ha!

    I am a southern transplant (originally a New Englander, been in the south 5 years now) and I get called ma'am, honey, sister, love, sweetie, you name it! It used to irk me and now I love it. We have taught our kids to say Sir and Ma'am as a sign of respect.
  • farrier_chick
    farrier_chick Posts: 14 Member
    haha! I am a female soldier non-commissioned (Canadian equivalent to enlisted) and I chuckle every time someone calls me Ma'am because that is how you address a female officer (which I am not!). We usually say "Don't call me Ma'am, I work for a living!!" LOL

    It is a sign of respect, and I do refer to those (especially senior citizens) as Sir or Ma'am. A title which I think they deserve. :)
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    I use it as an insult to make a woman feel she looks older.
  • meggonkgonk
    meggonkgonk Posts: 2,066 Member
    Idk- I think it sounds funny, but it sure sounds more adult than "Miss." Miss makes me feel like I'm in high school.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    I work in a cafe and use sir and madam a lot, especially to the "older" men and women. I tend not to use them at all with the "younger" customers now that I think about it. Maybe I should reconsider...?

    And I really don't like being called "sir" when I go into a shop, especially by the men who are clearly older than me - not in a bad way of course - but older in that they have 10x more life experience than me.
  • bethgames
    bethgames Posts: 534 Member
    It turns me on. Southern boys turn me on. My boyfriend hit on me the first time by asking me, "Ma'am, does this accent make me sound stupid?" I said, "Nope! Makes you sound perfect!" :love:
  • SwimFan1981
    SwimFan1981 Posts: 1,430 Member
    I think the only people referred to as "ma'am" in the UK are royal women :laugh:
  • AncientLullaby_
    AncientLullaby_ Posts: 119
    I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to be called ma'am
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    This thread is comical.
  • annwyatt69
    annwyatt69 Posts: 727 Member
    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?

    That's the way we do it in SE Texas. I moved here from WI when I was 10 years old and it was the hardest thing to learn! Don't care how old a female is, she is ma'am, darlin', hun, or little lady. Boys are sir or young sir. Period. And don't say "yeah" or "nah" in response to a question either--it's yes or no, and your choice whether to add ma'am or sir at the end. LOL
  • brandon0523
    brandon0523 Posts: 516
    Im 32 years old.. i was raised just south of chicago so not in the south. But my mother taught me respect. I spent 4 years in military high school 6 years in the us navy. It was required.. once again for respect.. i use ma'am and sir everyday to whom ever i encounter. I coach tball and little league. I call my players ma'am and sir they love it and in return do the same.. parents have thanked me for this.. because they continue it at home and school.. i have a 4 year old daughter.. she is the exact same way at 4. Yes ma'am no ma'am.. never goes with out please thank you and your welcome.. if you dont like it i am sorry.. its just a word. Let it slide.. go one about your day and be glad i didnt call you a dumb b????.. would you rather that instead
  • jiggy_gibby
    jiggy_gibby Posts: 197
    It is a sign of respect! Yes.
  • wowie69
    wowie69 Posts: 44 Member
    I've raised both my boys to use "sir" or "ma'am" and when someone tells them not to, they will simply ask what he/she would rather be referred to. The use of "sir" or "ma'am" is a simple sign of respect and I'm unsure why people are offended by it.

    Would you rather they didn't hold that door for you and let it slam in your face? Would you rather they just walk away when you drop something, instead of simply bending down and retrieving it for you? Would you rather they ignored you and called you a##hole like every other teen?

    *smh*

    I think the uncomfortable feeling perhaps comes from a lessened sense of self. There has to be a psychological reason underlying the discomfort, after all, who DOESN'T want to be treated respectfully? Or better, doesn't think they DESERVE to be treated respectfully and is upset by a simple courtesy?

    Something to think about.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,624 Member
    YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hate it. if i am married with kids then ok but um i'm only 25 i'm not a ****ing maam! miss or ms. works for me. and madam? for real? I am not the head of a brothel
  • Umeboshi
    Umeboshi Posts: 1,637 Member
    I don't really mind it.
  • Microfiber
    Microfiber Posts: 956 Member

    Any ladies feel the same way?

    Absolutely. I hate it with a passion :explode:
  • brandon0523
    brandon0523 Posts: 516
    I've raised both my boys to use "sir" or "ma'am" and when someone tells them not to, they will simply ask what he/she would rather be referred to. The use of "sir" or "ma'am" is a simple sign of respect and I'm unsure why people are offended by it.

    Would you rather they didn't hold that door for you and let it slam in your face? Would you rather they just walk away when you drop something, instead of simply bending down and retrieving it for you? Would you rather they ignored you and called you a##hole like every other teen?

    *smh*

    I think the uncomfortable feeling perhaps comes from a lessened sense of self. There has to be a psychological reason underlying the discomfort, after all, who DOESN'T want to be treated respectfully? Or better, doesn't think they DESERVE to be treated respectfully and is upset by a simple courtesy?

    Something to think about.
    preach to em sister. All solid points.. the problem i see. The generation of 25 and below. Have no respect for anyone any way. The world has truely gone to ****. I see it everyday.. the pure rudeness and self entitlement.. they really lack respect for the elderly.. i over heard a teen tell an old man to get the fudge out of the way with his slow *kitten*. I lit into that kids *kitten* so fast he didnt know what to think. I tell the story as i kindly asked him to appologize where my mother says i almost had him in tears apologizing.. idk remember
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    I say yes sir and yes ma'am purely out of respect and not due to anyone's age. It does not mean they think you are old if that adress you with respect.
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