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Old 11-14-2007, 01:58 PM
 
Location: Allen, Texas
670 posts, read 2,989,049 times
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I have to admit that saying ma'am did take me aback when I moved from SoCal to Louisiana, but it is said out of respect. What I hate is when you say it and someone comments on how they don't like being called that. Really it is just manners and how people were raised, not a comment on your age Heck I've said it to 16-year-olds just as an automatic.
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Old 11-14-2007, 01:58 PM
 
Location: Dallas, Texas
3,589 posts, read 4,119,203 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Debsi View Post
Most women I know seem to take offense to it. I enjoy the respect, myself.

It's one of the things I find charming about Texas.
You don't start to be called "ma'am" until you look old enough to be a "ma'am", i.e. over 30...which explains why some people don't like it.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:03 PM
 
Location: DFW
12,229 posts, read 21,385,082 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nativeDallasite View Post
You don't start to be called "ma'am" until you look old enough to be a "ma'am", i.e. over 30...which explains why some people don't like it.
I realize that's why many women don't like to be called ma'am. However, that's not been my experience. I started getting called it occasionally when I first moved here and I definitely did not look 30 yet. I've never minded. I only noticed because it is something that would never happen in California, thus I found it charming.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:15 PM
 
Location: Dallas TX & AL Gulf Coast
6,848 posts, read 11,754,631 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by USA_Mom View Post
I have to admit that saying ma'am did take me aback when I moved from SoCal to Louisiana, but it is said out of respect. What I hate is when you say it and someone comments on how they don't like being called that. Really it is just manners and how people were raised, not a comment on your age Heck I've said it to 16-year-olds just as an automatic.
Yes, I do the same... younger and older! I know it's more common now that children in a lot of places aren't taught to say "yes/no ma'am" and "yes/no sir" (wish it were)... it does grate on my nerves whenever I hear a child not say it to an adult... just like you say... it's said out of respect.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:17 PM
 
Location: Dallas, Texas
3,589 posts, read 4,119,203 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Debsi View Post
I realize that's why many women don't like to be called ma'am. However, that's not been my experience. I started getting called it occasionally when I first moved here and I definitely did not look 30 yet. I've never minded. I only noticed because it is something that would never happen in California, thus I found it charming.
I guess it's hard to explain to a Californian. Yes, it can be charming and it's meant to be polite, but transitioning from "miss" to "ma'am" can be painful. I'll never forget the first time I was ma'am'd.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:20 PM
 
Location: Twilight Zone
875 posts, read 1,083,302 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Power View Post
It is true that some people will act nice to your face then talk behind your back, but for the most part southern hospitality is real.

One thing I have noticed is some women do take offense to yes ma'am. Sometimes they give you the "what! do I look old to you or something!" look
I don't mind ma'am at all. What I do mind, is men calling me hon or any form of endearment when I don't know them.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:20 PM
 
Location: DFW
12,229 posts, read 21,385,082 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nativeDallasite View Post
I guess it's hard to explain to a Californian. Yes, it can be charming and it's meant to be polite, but transitioning from "miss" to "ma'am" can be painful. I'll never forget the first time I was ma'am'd.
Do you think there's a wedding ring aspect to this? I was 25 and married when I moved here.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:23 PM
 
Location: The Big D
14,862 posts, read 42,685,377 times
Reputation: 5787
Quote:
Originally Posted by nativeDallasite View Post
I guess it's hard to explain to a Californian. Yes, it can be charming and it's meant to be polite, but transitioning from "miss" to "ma'am" can be painful. I'll never forget the first time I was ma'am'd.
Heck, I only get carded now by someone if they feel like making me feel young . Otherwise it is, "Thank ya ma'am". Awhile back a friend and I pulled out our "id's" to get the band to drink while at a concert. She went running up w/ hers saying, "here is our fake ID's that show we are 42 but we really are 19". LMAO!!!! I've noticed when I say "thank you", "thank you sir", Thank ya ma'am" or whatever the propert polite term would be for the moment to a MUCH YOUNGER person they really step back and smile and respond back positively. I'm hoping that by doing so it encourages them to pass it on and see how being polite can make someones day.
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:25 PM
 
Location: DFW
12,229 posts, read 21,385,082 times
Reputation: 33266
Quote:
Originally Posted by momof2dfw View Post
Heck, I only get carded now by someone if they feel like making me feel young . Otherwise it is, "Thank ya ma'am". Awhile back a friend and I pulled out our "id's" to get the band to drink while at a concert. She went running up w/ hers saying, "here is our fake ID's that show we are 42 but we really are 19". LMAO!!!! I've noticed when I say "thank you", "thank you sir", Thank ya ma'am" or whatever the propert polite term would be for the moment to a MUCH YOUNGER person they really step back and smile and respond back positively. I'm hoping that by doing so it encourages them to pass it on and see how being polite can make someones day.
I always say thank you when I'm carded now!
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Old 11-14-2007, 02:28 PM
 
Location: Dallas TX & AL Gulf Coast
6,848 posts, read 11,754,631 times
Reputation: 33430
Quote:
Originally Posted by nativeDallasite View Post
II'll never forget the first time I was ma'am'd.
Was your response, "DON'T MA'AM ME!" like it was for most of us when hearing it for the first time?
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