Don't Ma'am Me
- Thread starter dlsc
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I grew up in NJ but have been living in the South since 1987. "Ma'am" is an extremely common sign of respect here but I STILL CAN'T STAND IT!!! My MIL insists my children say "yes and no, Ma'am," even to me. I tell them not to call me that (but I do like, "yes, Mommy" instead of "yeah").
The origin of "ma'am" is the southern slave pronunciation of "madam." I don't want to be called "madam" either!
The origin of "ma'am" is the southern slave pronunciation of "madam." I don't want to be called "madam" either!
I grew up in NJ but have been living in the South since 1987. "Ma'am" is an extremely common sign of respect here but I STILL CAN'T STAND IT!!! My MIL insists my children say "yes and no, Ma'am," even to me. I tell them not to call me that (but I do like, "yes, Mommy" instead of "yeah").
The origin of "ma'am" is the southern slave pronunciation of "madam." I don't want to be called "madam" either!
The origin of "ma'am" is the southern slave pronunciation of "madam." I don't want to be called "madam" either!
Renee McFar
Cathlete
Well ladies, I must disagree. I was taught to say ma'am and sir at a very early age. In my little ole area of the south, it is a sign of respect, not a sign of age. I even answer children with ma'am or sir.
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too.
I have been asked by LOTS of people I know not to say ma'am or sir to them....well, I can't stop myself now....been doing it too many years.
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too.
I have been asked by LOTS of people I know not to say ma'am or sir to them....well, I can't stop myself now....been doing it too many years.
Renee McFar
Cathlete
Well ladies, I must disagree. I was taught to say ma'am and sir at a very early age. In my little ole area of the south, it is a sign of respect, not a sign of age. I even answer children with ma'am or sir.
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too.
I have been asked by LOTS of people I know not to say ma'am or sir to them....well, I can't stop myself now....been doing it too many years.
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too.
I have been asked by LOTS of people I know not to say ma'am or sir to them....well, I can't stop myself now....been doing it too many years.
Well, while I can understand that some are annoyed by it and think it signifies being old, I don't really have a problem with it. I see it as a sign of respect.
I don't live in the South (anymore) but I still get it occasionally. I'm 26. I'd rather hear "Thank you, ma'am" than a grunt or something truly offensive.
I do suppose I think of it as somewhat matronly, but I really, honestly don't think that when someone calls someone "ma'am," that they're trying to be disprectful. So, I take it with the repect intended.
Kristy
I don't live in the South (anymore) but I still get it occasionally. I'm 26. I'd rather hear "Thank you, ma'am" than a grunt or something truly offensive.
I do suppose I think of it as somewhat matronly, but I really, honestly don't think that when someone calls someone "ma'am," that they're trying to be disprectful. So, I take it with the repect intended.
Kristy
Well, while I can understand that some are annoyed by it and think it signifies being old, I don't really have a problem with it. I see it as a sign of respect.
I don't live in the South (anymore) but I still get it occasionally. I'm 26. I'd rather hear "Thank you, ma'am" than a grunt or something truly offensive.
I do suppose I think of it as somewhat matronly, but I really, honestly don't think that when someone calls someone "ma'am," that they're trying to be disprectful. So, I take it with the repect intended.
Kristy
I don't live in the South (anymore) but I still get it occasionally. I'm 26. I'd rather hear "Thank you, ma'am" than a grunt or something truly offensive.
I do suppose I think of it as somewhat matronly, but I really, honestly don't think that when someone calls someone "ma'am," that they're trying to be disprectful. So, I take it with the repect intended.
Kristy
Aquajock
Cathlete
I'm with Kristy and Renee on the "Ma'am" issue. To me it's a gesture of respect, regardless of the age of the person who's saying it.
And although I did not grow up in Louisiana, I did visit there a couple of times and I found being called "Miss Annette" quite endearing. And refreshing. I personally am offended when some teenaged punk speaks to me in overly familiar terms.
And - just in passing - at least they're calling you "Ma'am". More than once, with my bald head and my Kathleen-Turner voice, a person has said, "Thank you, sir."
A-Jock
And although I did not grow up in Louisiana, I did visit there a couple of times and I found being called "Miss Annette" quite endearing. And refreshing. I personally am offended when some teenaged punk speaks to me in overly familiar terms.
And - just in passing - at least they're calling you "Ma'am". More than once, with my bald head and my Kathleen-Turner voice, a person has said, "Thank you, sir."
A-Jock
I was in the military, so the 'yes ma'am' thing wasn't a problem. I was in a field that was primarily men, though, and more than once, someone would start to say 'yes sir', realize their mistake and switch mid-word, and it would come out 'Yes Spam' I really have to draw the line at being called a potted meat product...especially because I was a vegetarian at the time
allwildgirl
Cathlete
Ah well, it can be worse. My SO calls me "baby" because he can't remember my name half the time. Once he called me "man". I drew the line there. In case you're wondering, we've been together four years.
kathryn
Cathlete
>I was in the military, so the 'yes ma'am' thing wasn't a
>problem. I was in a field that was primarily men, though, and
>more than once, someone would start to say 'yes sir', realize
>their mistake and switch mid-word, and it would come out 'Yes
>Spam'
LOL!
Does the military ever use "sir" for women, or is that just a made-up thing that they do on Star Trek ?
>problem. I was in a field that was primarily men, though, and
>more than once, someone would start to say 'yes sir', realize
>their mistake and switch mid-word, and it would come out 'Yes
>Spam'
LOL!
Does the military ever use "sir" for women, or is that just a made-up thing that they do on Star Trek ?
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
<<My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too.>>
Exactly!
The way I was raised here in the south, "Ma'am" is a term of respect. It doesn't have anything to do with how OLD you are. Anyone who should be shown respect (teacher, a professional job situation, parents, etc.) will receive "sir" and "ma'am" as a form of greeting.
I taught my child to say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir. He is expected to use it in appropriate situations. It's simply good manners.
ETA: I just have to say, if my son, who is 17, dared call a woman of any age by the greeting of "Hey girl", instead of "ma'am", he would be in big trouble on the home front!
Exactly!
The way I was raised here in the south, "Ma'am" is a term of respect. It doesn't have anything to do with how OLD you are. Anyone who should be shown respect (teacher, a professional job situation, parents, etc.) will receive "sir" and "ma'am" as a form of greeting.
I taught my child to say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir. He is expected to use it in appropriate situations. It's simply good manners.
ETA: I just have to say, if my son, who is 17, dared call a woman of any age by the greeting of "Hey girl", instead of "ma'am", he would be in big trouble on the home front!
Bobbi
Cathlete
I feel the same. If feeling prickly, you can always say, "I prefer to be called, Madame". Choose to look surly or not. I am getting so that I don't mind it anymore. Just walk away chuckling over the young whippersnappers or that nice old man who's eyesight is worse than mine.
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
Annabelle2
Cathlete
"Well ladies, I must disagree. I was taught to say ma'am and sir at a very early age. In my little ole area of the south, it is a sign of respect, not a sign of age. I even answer children with ma'am or sir.
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too."
I am from TX and this is the same for me
My children are being taught the same thing. I had better hear a ma'am or sir come out of their mouth any time they answer a question. I always check with their teachers every school year to make sure they are saying it there too."
I am from TX and this is the same for me
Renee McFar
Cathlete
I think I love you ladies!When people tell me not to say "ma'am" or "sir" to them, I have to decline that request. I tell them my mom maybe 45 miles away but she might hear me not answering you properly....then I get a thump or pinch from her! Ouch! Those little "mom pinches" used to pack "big punches". LOL!
cwsoxfan
Cathlete
Usually it happens when I'm checking out at a store. The first time I heard it, I got into my car and thought, I'm getting old. A few times after that, I started feeling what's the poor kid going to call me instead? I think too many kids don't show enough respect these days. Now when it happens, I just smile and think at least he's being respectfu
Good day, ma'am!;-)
Dallas
Good day, ma'am!;-)
Dallas
lisaannjam
Cathlete
Thank you for letting me see this in a different light. I will see it as a sign of respect and not age from now on. It'll feel much better that way too.