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

Nope! I'm 23 and I appreciate it. I was raised to call everyone "ma'am" and "sir". Well, anyone who is older than me or in a position of service or help to me (waitresses, bank tellers, cashiers) even if they're younger than me. It's a sign of respect for those around you as well as a show of appreciation for their help. I get told all the time not to call them that, but it's definitely a habit I want to keep!

I hate being called ma'am...

I call women who are older than i am, ma'am and gentlemen older than me sir. Just a form of respect. I was raised right

I don't mind as being in customer service for a decade I call every stranger ma'am or sir out of habit, even people who I believe may be younger than me. However, like others have pointed out, I HATE being called "miss". If it was "Miss" followed by my name, that's fine, but just "miss" irks me to no end.

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?

Ma'am.

It's a sign of respect, don't take it for anything it's not. You won't have problems with it then.

yea it bums me out... even if they are saying it sarcastically

Yeah, I hate it.

Then again, I'm a guy, so I think I have a good reason for hating being called "ma'am".

In all seriousness, tt's a respectful term. Trouble is, everyone wants to be called a DIFFERENT respectful term and no one goes around with "HELLO, PLEASE ADDRESS ME AS" stickers on their shirts. I don't understand the offense at respectful terms. I see a woman who looks over 20 who I don't know, she's "ma'am" until she asks to be addressed differently. That's the way my momma raised me.

It's like ladies getting offended when I hold the door for them - hey - I do it for guys, too. I'm not trying to belittle you or make some point that you can't open a door or disempower you or anything. I'm just trying to be the nice guy my mother tried so hard to raise. We'll probably never see each other again in our lifetimes, so you don't need to lecture me on sexist roles, OK?

I'm starting to wonder if it's worth all this effort to try and be polite when so many people are offended by it.

I hate it. I'm only 27. I'll reserve that for when I pass 35. I'm from the north and live in the south so I realize that's what they say down here.

I don't mind as being in customer service for a decade I call every stranger ma'am or sir out of habit, even people who I believe may be younger than me. However, like others have pointed out, I HATE being called "miss". If it was "Miss" followed by my name, that's fine, but just "miss" irks me to no end.

I hate it. I'm only 27. I'll reserve that for when I pass 35. I'm from the north and live in the south so I realize that's what they say down here.

^^^ See, now here's the problem. (with apologies to the two individuals I chose largely at random).

Two ladies much younger than myself, both of whom are obviously adult-aged, and one wants to be called using a younger title and is offended by an "older"-sounding one, and the other wants the title I was taught to use as a young'un back in the day and would get upset with the "younger" title.

What's a 40+-year-old guy trying to be nice to a stranger he'll probably interact with once in his entire lifetime supposed to call you? "Ma'am" or "Miss"?

My bias is to recognize you as an adult (in which case it's "ma'am" rather than risk being condescending by using "miss"). But, then, I've been slapped for holding doors for women (the men don't seem to mind), so that bias is starting to wane.

Instead of focusing on how much you "hate" a particular form of respect, why not just recognize that it's a respectful form of address and appreciate the gesture for what it is - a perfect stranger trying to be nice the best way they know how?

I have been asked a number of times to refrain from using "Ma'am" -- It is used as a sign of respect tho

Kids these days! They don't get it.

ah, I like it.. It’s kind of sexy if it comes from a guy with a southern accent or wearing a military uniform!! :flowerforyou:

Well I'm not your pal, friend!

"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.

I believe it does have something to do with age. Ma'am is equivalent to Madame, which I think would at least mean you're old enough to be married. Miss is equivalent to mademoiselle...a younger, unmarried woman, my interpretation anyway. However, I'm not offended by ma'am because I know it is said out of respect. Anyway, I'm way too old to be called miss. I think that would offend me.

It does not have anything to do with age! It is simply a term of respect.

I love it. I think it's sweet/polite. Then again, I am 19. If I was in my 30s or better, I'm not sure it would be the same story.

I particularly like it when my boys friends call me ma'am, but mostly when they filter their potty mouths when I'm in the room...or when my boys filter their friends mouths when I'm in the room.