Ma'am???

gratefulbear629

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
1,106
Purraise
1
Location
Trenton, NJ
I went shopping at the grocery store today to pick up a few things. As I was being checked out the clerk said "Here you go, ma'am."... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I went to school with her (she was in a younger grade) and I only graduated 2 years ago so she is not much younger than me!!!

 

zoe'n'misskitty

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 11, 2004
Messages
1,142
Purraise
1
Location
WV
It's the polite thing to do when you're in the service industry. You call the customers "ma'am" and "sir" no matter how old or young they are.
I've been called ma'am by people MUCH older than me.
It's just polite.
 

talon

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
2,299
Purraise
3
Location
NVA, USA
She is what alot of people are not these days: polite. She was most likely just showing respect. I at first was hurt by being called maam... but then I thought if they called me Miss - then do they think I am younger? Only time the younger part comes into play is at work. If one of my guys at work called me miss - I do beleive I'd be tempted to slug them (only mentally of course). Now 3/4 of the call me "Boss" - not sure if that is any better - but I haven't caught them snickering at me yet. ...
 

miss mew

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
13,668
Purraise
36
Location
Canada
Maam!!, I hate being called that too!!, I know that it is the polite thing for people to say (and I'd never get mad at them for doing it) but it makes me feel old.

When I was an instructor I used to be the head air cadet teacher at our school and the cadets insisted on calling me maam...one of the other instructors found out that I hated to be called that and so they started to call me Sir...to this day that is my nickname!
 

sunnicat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 20, 2005
Messages
2,788
Purraise
1
Location
Central Illinois
I hate it, too...but have resigned myself to the fact that it's due to manners, which can't be a bad thing. Sigh.
 

kateang

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
2,101
Purraise
1
Location
Singapore
yeah.. that happens to me too... madam this and madam that... oh boy.. makes me feel so old!!!
 

turtlecat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 1, 2004
Messages
2,288
Purraise
1
Location
Morrisville, NC
Lemme tell you it's worse in the south.. If you're old enough to payfor anything you're ma'am and sir'd to death. Though, I myself call my boss sir more than anything else. My uncle expects a "yessir" or a "no, thank you, sir" from whomever it is that he asks a question.
 

gemlady

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
18,820
Purraise
31
Location
SW Indiana
There, there... It happens sooner or later. Just pull up your rocking chair and have a good sob.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

gratefulbear629

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
1,106
Purraise
1
Location
Trenton, NJ


I was just so shocked.. she is only a few years younger than I am. I don't use the term too often but when I do it's usually a person who is obviously older than I am. I wouldn't consider calling someone my own age ma'am.. I'm only 20. lol
 

rosehawke

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 1, 2005
Messages
2,143
Purraise
1
Location
Sweet Home Alabama
Erm, doesn't matter if a clerk is 17 (I'm 48) they'll be "sirred" and "ma'amed" if the occasion and manners warrant
. Must be a "Southern thing."
 

rockcat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
6,665
Purraise
18
Location
The Spacecoast
Originally Posted by turtlecat

Lemme tell you it's worse in the south.. If you're old enough to payfor anything you're ma'am and sir'd to death.
or honey, darlin' and sweetie.
 

darkeyedgirl

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
1,563
Purraise
12
Location
"Southside of Cincinnati"
I say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir all the time. To family, friends, co-workers, & strangers! I even say Yes ma'am to my daughter who is only 8!

Manners and Respect are GOOD THINGS... I don't think it makes you old or feel old or anything like that. I think that lots of people in this world forgot how to be polite & respectful to each other, so when I hear the yes ma'ams and yes sirs, I smile.

 

sammie5

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
1,690
Purraise
3
I fill up my car at a local full service gas station where the young attendant calls me "Miss". The gas costs more, but it's worth it.

I too was shocked the first time I was called Ma'am. I know it's polite and all, but it did make me feel very old.
 

AbbysMom

At Abby's beck and call
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
78,292
Purraise
19,402
Location
Massachusetts
I feel old whenever I am called Ma'am also. It does occasionally get balanced out when someone asked me to see my ID when I am buying alcohol. A few times I almost lept across the counter to hug them!
 

esrgirl

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,163
Purraise
2
Location
Indiana
I have to say "Sir" or "Ma'am" at work- even if my guests are teenagers. It always feels kinda funny, but you have to do it!
 

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
I worked various jobs as a cashier, short order cook, or waitress while in high school and college. That was in the northeastern U.S.. Customers were always addressed as "ma'am" or "sir", regardless of their age, and they addressed me as "miss".
 

yoviher

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
1,414
Purraise
1
Location
Puerto Rico... land of rice and beans.
I am 16 and been called "Sir" god knows how many times... Even outside the servicing... Sometimes I give the impression of being so old, that I once was out with a girl and somebody thought she was my wife...
Let's just say, it does a good work to act very relaxed, like you own the place, speak intelectually and fake a Castillian accent.
 
Top