The much-despised "ma'am" word (present, sister, females, males)

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Georgianbelle

.......move back to whatever Northern state you came from becausein the South we are taught to be polite.

This is exactly the kind of comment I find annoying. The South does not have a corner on politeness. Regardless of how many ma'ams and sirs are (or are not) used in a conversation.

[2mares]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Picture a woman left her purse on a counter, and you are running after her to let her know you've got her purse. What do you yell? You don't know her name. You have to call her something.

Hey lady, sounds rude.

Hey Mizzzzzzz (Ms) doesn't work well as a word you need to yell.

Hey Miss? She's over 40. I guess that could work...

I guess you could just keep loudly yelling Excuse me! Excuse me!

Maybe some people would prefer "Yo byotch"

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by 2mares

Maybe some people would prefer "Yo byotch"

Yes, because rudeness is the only alternative to ma'am.

[goldenday]

In the northeast, where I was raised, the m word is considered a comment about being aged and therefore disliked. I have lived on a few continents and visited many islands and different cultures and do notice when I am addressed as M'am, tho I have had no response until yesterday.
A young african-american man was driving the transport cart inside A NY airport. He said M'am with such genuine sweetness, I felt as if he was offering a lovely token on appreciation. It felt sweet and was endearing. We actually stayed on the cart longer so he could fetch someone else far up the concourse rather than be dropped off sooner to get a car rental.

[Georgianbelle]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

This is exactly the kind of comment I find annoying. The South does not have a corner on politeness. Regardless of how many ma'ams and sirs are (or are not) used in a conversation.

Maybe not, but mam is not offensive to us and we don't use it to be offensive. When you visit a different section of the country or a different country all together you should accept the differences there graciously. I expect kids to say mam to me, and when they don't I wonder what their parents taught them.

[ocnjgirl]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

I don't get upset, but I find the formality of it distancing and it does make me feel "old." I'm not freaked out by getting older, but it just conjures images of elderly women in their dotage.

It's not like "ma'am" ruins my day or my mood, but it is a little jarring.

It always made me picture an Old West school marm spinster in her long dress and bonnet, with the sheriff walking by and tipping his hat, "Ma'am", lol. Formality/distancing I never thought of, but now that you said it, it rings true, but in a way I can't really put into words well.

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Georgianbelle

Maybe not, but mam is not offensive to us and we don't use it to be offensive. When you visit a different section of the country or a different country all together you should accept the differences there graciously. I expect kids to say mam to me, and when they don't I wonder what their parents taught them.

So this idea of being gracious and accepting of the differences in other customs or cultures is only expected to apply to others concerning your customs and not the other way around.

I see.

[ocnjgirl]

Originally Posted by Georgianbelle

Maybe not, but mam is not offensive to us and we don't use it to be offensive. When you visit a different section of the country or a different country all together you should accept the differences there graciously. I expect kids to say mam to me, and when they don't I wonder what their parents taught them.

I don't find it offensive, I just don't like it. I don't like clams either, it doesn't mean I'm offended by them. Now this weekend though, I was at my nephews Marine boot camp graduation and every single marine man and woman called me ma'am, and I didn't mind it one bit, as that is what they are taught AND it was used for every woman, not just those who appear older. Here in the northeast however it actually is reserved only for women who appear older.

Men have only one title...Sir. Younger or older, sir is the title of respect. If men were only called sir after they started looking middle aged, they wouldn't like it either.

I actually do know some men who hate being called sir (again, in northeast where politeness is not an ingrained cultural trait, it usually only happens after a certain age. They say "my father is sir, not me" lol.

[beachie123]

Originally Posted by Georgianbelle

When you visit a different section of the country or a different country all together you should accept the differences there graciously.

you mean like when you go somewhere that calling a woman "ma'am" is not the norm?

[beachie123]

Originally Posted by ocnjgirl

It always made me picture an Old West school marm spinster in her long dress and bonnet, with the sheriff walking by and tipping his hat, "Ma'am", lol.

haha! reminds me of little house on the prairie. wasn't there a lot of "ma'ams" thrown around on that show?
ah, i loved little house on the prairie.