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

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Replies

  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    Now this is a nice juxtaposition....you get threads all the time talking about how rude people are, then you get another one complaining about how much politeness bothers you.

    I always laugh at people's negative reaction to politeness....that's all.

    I think terms like this are region specific to some extent. You can be polite without saying Ma'am & Sir. Some people do not like being referred to this way...

    I had no idea this was even an issue. must be weird to be annoyed by politeness.

    and, as has been said, what the heck else would I call you?

    Getting a woman's attention by saying "Excuse me, Ma'am" isn't the same as being "Yes, Ma'am-ed" in the south. There IS a difference... and guys, chill out. We ALL have our preferences. I'm not annoyed by politeness, it's expected.
  • danam82
    danam82 Posts: 30
    It makes me feel kinda old (I'm only 29), but I think I'd rather be Ma'am than Miss. Miss makes me feel like a little girl.
  • TheresaC928
    TheresaC928 Posts: 849
    Didn't like it when I was younger but really not crazy about it now that I'm 40. However, I do prefer it too not addressing me as that or Ms or Mrs vs Dude, Dudette, or a yeah whatever look most teenagers give you. :) My son knows better than that. He is taught to say Ms or Mrs or Sir or Mr or if they are real close friends and the friends are ok with him calling them by their first names he can do that.
  • SpydrMnky27
    SpydrMnky27 Posts: 381 Member
    I don't like it at all. I'm turning 30 this year and I'm not looking forward to it so I'm a bit sensitive to the ma'am thing. It makes me feel old, frumpy and instantly regret not putting on makeup before I left the house. I understand it's being polite but I prefer miss.
  • kimnsc
    kimnsc Posts: 560 Member
    I don't mind it, I see it as a sign of respect. I was raised in the South and growing up my mama would have kicked my tail if I didn't respond "Yes Ma'am / No Ma'am".
  • budhandy
    budhandy Posts: 305 Member
    yeah I hate being called ma'am too!
  • Alma_Sana
    Alma_Sana Posts: 453 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?

    Same here 26 and It makes me feel old
  • Ocarina
    Ocarina Posts: 1,550 Member
    O_O

    I don't mind being called ma'm, lady, hey, miss, or what have you as long as it isn't derogatory - especially specifically because I'm female.

    They are terms of respect to strangers. I think nothing else of it!
  • Susabelle64
    Susabelle64 Posts: 207 Member
    It bothered me when I first moved to the south, after 10 years, you only notice if someone DOESNT use it.
  • pangsofbeauty
    pangsofbeauty Posts: 12
    My mom is from the south
    It was always 'clean your room' " yes ma'am"

    I yes sir and yes ma'am everyone
    Age 5, 24, 43, or 72
    (yes I really do "yes ma'am" when babysitting kids)
    I even "yes sir" "no sir" my bf

    I'm always surprised when a few people are offended
    It's normally people in their 20's or 30's
    It's just how I was raised
    And I'm doing it out of pure respect
  • Mina133842
    Mina133842 Posts: 1,573 Member
    I think it's way more respectful than: dude, buddy, homey.... lol good 'ol MTV?!!

    I also tend to use the "hun" a lot....I guess I "mom" everyone, but not trying to be disrespectful..just a force of habit.
  • spoonful
    spoonful Posts: 200 Member
    I don't like it much either.
  • kansasbelle
    kansasbelle Posts: 264 Member
    Being southern too I get offended when people don't use ma'am. Please it's a sign of respect. It's called manners which aren't as prevalent in the midwest or in the younger generations.
  • directorj
    directorj Posts: 537 Member
    Here in CA you don't hear this much ma'am or sir. But when I was on vacation in the Philippines I was called sir way too many times, it ticked me off. I said, I know we are paying you to be our maid and I'm from America but please don't call me sir. They still did it anyways :yawn:
  • HellsKells
    HellsKells Posts: 671 Member
    I like it. Better than the alternative, I'd assume. I don't like being called "Miss", because it's usually /preceded/followed by a snotty remark.

    Alternatively, I've been trying to tone down my use of the word "Dude". My grandma got "dude"'d the other day, and that just isn't right :laugh:
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    "Ma'am" has nothing to do with age, except it's really not used for children. Why would it make you feel old for people to be polite to you? That doesn't make any sense.
  • forgtmenot
    forgtmenot Posts: 860 Member
    I live in Mississippi so I am used to it. I get called "Ma'am" on a daily basis and I'm only 26. I didn't grow up in the south though, so I rarely say it and if anything I get weird looks when I DON'T say it, especially when speaking to elderly people. What really irks me is when northerners are here visiting and get all pissy when someone who is clearly southern calls them sir or ma'am. This is the deep south, you will be called ma'am/sir here, get used to it!
  • quixoticmantis
    quixoticmantis Posts: 297 Member
    I don't mind at all. I think it's kind of polite. Maybe it's the southern gal in me? :)
  • AlayshaJ
    AlayshaJ Posts: 703 Member
    Only when my husband calls me "ma'am"

    Anyone else is okay.
  • hatrammell
    hatrammell Posts: 36
    Better than miss. miss sounds like they're your slave or butler or something.

    ooohhh I can't STAND miss!!! I feel you on this one. Maam, I'm ok with sometimes because I know certain people are trying to be polite. I'm 21 and people usually say I look like I'm 17, so I kinda like Maam....but Miss drives me NUTS! lol
  • spike90
    spike90 Posts: 704 Member
    I can't stand it. It makes me feel so old (I am 40). Even though I am married, I would prefer "miss" or even "hey you"
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I usually use 'Miss'...or if I'm annoyed it's 'Lady'.

    Safer that way lol.
  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    Yes, I do hate being called Ma'am.
  • Redhead48814
    Redhead48814 Posts: 1
    I feel the same way! I am in a professional position, so maybe I carry myself that way. However, like another woman mentioned, I am ONLY 28. Please... Call me Miss. ;)
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    My mom is from the south
    It was always 'clean your room' " yes ma'am"

    I yes sir and yes ma'am everyone
    Age 5, 24, 43, or 72
    (yes I really do "yes ma'am" when babysitting kids)
    I even "yes sir" "no sir" my bf

    I'm always surprised when a few people are offended
    It's normally people in their 20's or 30's
    It's just how I was raised
    And I'm doing it out of pure respect

    Good girl! Wish more people were taught that way nowadays.
  • Lampy00512
    Lampy00512 Posts: 117
    Nah, I like it :smile: Makes me feel respected.
  • smhammons
    smhammons Posts: 115 Member
    whats funny is i had a aunt lay into a young man at a grocery store one day for calling her ma'ma and then turn to my mother and began to tell her how disrespectfull people are to one another.. My mother said to her no wonder people have no respect for you because you have none for yourself....
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    As long as someone isn't calling me b!tch or some other profanity - it doesn't really phase me. I find it funny when people younger than me call me love, darling, sweetie or anything like that but again - doesn't bother me. I do work with some people who get really worked up when they get called certain things (non swear words) & I think "who cares" but I do work with people who like to make mountains out of molehills (not implying that the OP is, just saying I know some people who get worked up over nothing) :smile:
  • michellelhartwig
    michellelhartwig Posts: 486 Member
    I don't mind it! :) But I guess at 35, I'm getting up there in age! lol
  • rmsturdy
    rmsturdy Posts: 73
    It's a cultural thing. I'm upset if someone doesn't call me ma'am. It's a mark of respect. My swimmers are awesome. Everything is "yes ma'am!" Love it!
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