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

12357…14

Replies

  • katiebythebay
    katiebythebay Posts: 611 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?

    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
    davina614 Posts: 6 Member
    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
    suzzann666 Posts: 334 Member
    i used to, but now i'm a tae kwon do student and we refer to everyone as "sir" or "ma'am"
  • kazzari
    kazzari Posts: 473 Member
    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
    Clarimusic00 Posts: 96 Member
    I dislike it when a female my age or only slightly older calls me "sweetie" or "honey". It really annoys me.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    for the anti-ma'amers, doesn't "yes, miss" or "yes, mister" sound ... weird?
  • hapoo100
    hapoo100 Posts: 926 Member
    strangely I havent been called ma'am since I lost the mewbs.
  • Gunnarbear
    Gunnarbear Posts: 186
    You are female. It is a sign of respect. be happy it's not something else.
  • Amanda_Bridges90
    Amanda_Bridges90 Posts: 33 Member
    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
    10acity Posts: 798 Member
    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
    mdailey93 Posts: 95
    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
    Tristis Posts: 288 Member
    Chill out...there are much worse things to be called.
  • ForeverIrish
    ForeverIrish Posts: 227 Member
    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
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
    i live in the South... EVERY man and his brother calls me Ma'am!!!:laugh: :grumble:
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    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
    lightinthedarkness94 Posts: 1
    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
    ednabnana Posts: 304
    Don't live around soldiers or the southern states....you'll get wrinkles from annoyance.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    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
    Sweetred82 Posts: 6
    It sounds kind of HOT ma'am! LOL! I guess it depends on how you use it. :wink:
  • sexyrosey
    sexyrosey Posts: 137
    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
    katscott52 Posts: 1
    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
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    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
    blissfuljensen Posts: 1 Member
    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
    Cmonnowguys Posts: 361 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:

    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
    cowgirlup327 Posts: 58 Member
    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
    shoegal517 Posts: 56 Member
    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
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    my ma'ams typically follow either a 'yes' or a 'no.'
  • jkleon86
    jkleon86 Posts: 245 Member
    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 :wink:
  • kazzari
    kazzari Posts: 473 Member
    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
    CeeRawr89 Posts: 328 Member
    Yep, I'm 22 and get called Ma'am...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories