What age does a woman qualify for ma'am? (person, sister, attractiveness)

[Cheesehead92]

I use "sir" and "ma'am" with adults of any age; I can't see why one would take offense to them. I (and doubtless many others) was taught that those are terms of respect.

[Maliblue]

Guys, be careful using "Ma'am".

I had always assumed it was the equivalent of Sir, and a sign of respect. At my old job, I used to reply to my superiors "yes sir!" or "yes ma'am!"

At least I did until I was called into HR who wanted me to put an end to my "offensive, sexist" language. This took me aback; never in my life have I been called "sexist" (nor had I ever been called into HR ever). I asked for examples of the sexist things I said. The HR woman offered absolutely zero examples and said "it is just your general attitude". Which again, didn't sit right with me. When I asked for more specifics, I was told it was because I call people "ma'am" 'in a sarcastic manner'.

This was nonsense too, and had to fight the urge to show her what sarcastic really sounds like. I have called women I didn't know or women in authority "ma'am" for 25+ years. But I give up; never again.

But at any rate, I needed the job, so I complied. I started saying things like "okay...you"

It is things like this that led to my working for myself.

[mainebrokerman]

sir and ma'am are terms of respect and endearment

tho not overly popular up north here,,it does mean respect,,

we use more "dear" hon" "honey"

I like "darlin" but the men hating pc crowd seems to get offended by that

[Nicci6Squirrels]

I call little girls, "Ma'am" and they giggle. I don't care if anyone calls me "Ma'am" or "Madame," (even thought it sounds like I run a brothel) or "Miss" or "Hey, Lady" or "T*tz McGee." None of it bugs me anymore. I'm 48 and all mature and junk now!
Darlin', Honeybunch, FartBlossom... all okay with me, too.

[Gretchen963]

Originally Posted by Inquest

What age would you be fine with/expect to be called "ma'am"

To me, it's a polite form of address at any age.

[Calvert Hall '62]

Recall several times as a teenager when women in their 40s would respond indignantly with "Ma'am!? I ain't your mother!!" Once I came back, under my breath, with "But you're old enough to be." She heard it, and fortunately, it cracked her up. Good sport.


Once in a bar, must have been 25, a drunk 40-ish woman addressed me and I responded with a "No ma'am." She then intended to say, "You're as old as me!," but being really loaded, it came out, "I'm as old as you!" I simply added, "At least."


Now at 73, I hardly ever use the term.

[sansea]

Sure as hell beats "HON" from a stranger.

Ma'am or Sir... we could all use more civility and respect for each other.

[AlaskaErik]

If you're a newly minted female Second Lieutenant at age 22 you'll be hearing it all the time.

[MsMetal]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

It's not as unpleasant as shaking hands with women, but pretty close.

What is so "unpleasant" about that? And what would the alternative be, when you're introduced to a woman?

[Ginge McFantaPants]

Originally Posted by Inquest

I've heard that some women see "ma'am" as a form of address that makes them sound old. To them, I ask two questions-1)What age would you be fine with/expect to be called "ma'am" (and how old would a woman look before you would use "ma'am" on her), and 2)How would you prefer to be addressed if not "ma'am," (and what degree of respect would you show to a woman too young for "ma'am")?

Depending on your geographical location, the answer could be "never".