Ma'am or Miss ?

[greeny]

Ok so how many women out there get called "Ma'am" instead of "Miss"? Which do you prefer? I have gotten called both but seems like "Ma'am" is the term most used (even by people older than me !). I used to think you only use the word "Ma'am" if the woman is older than you? Or am I wrong? I hate being called "Ma'am" especially by someone who is a lot older than me. It makes me question my appearance or something. I don't know...what do you guys think and what is your experience with this?

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Either is fine by me. I've been called both recently but I do think "ma'am" is more popular.

"Miss" makes me think of a young woman (like under 25), while "ma'am" makes me think of someone older (not necessarily "old" just older than 25 ish).

[julies1949]

It never bothers me when someone is simply trying to be polite. There is so little courtesy left in our everyday world, that I am grateful for their politeness.

[CrazyQT]

It never bothers me when someone is simply trying to be polite. There is so little courtesy left in our everyday world, that I am grateful for their politeness.

Very well said.

[padyofurniture]

I tend to go the other way. I use Miss more than Ma'am. I've been called both, with ma'am being a more recent thing. I guess I'm getting old or something LOL

[Candini]

Hun bothers me more than either. Especially if the person is younger.

And ma'am feels weird since I'm rather young.

Whatever. Been called worse things out there

[Shwa Girl]

Hun bothers me more than either. Especially if the person is younger.

And ma'am feels weird since I'm rather young.

Whatever. Been called worse things out there

Miss, Hon, Dearie, Sweetie - the cashiers call me with any of these
It's all good, because they are the ones who are quick to let me know if I miss a deal in the store.

[Natalka]

Ma'am is more common with over mid twenties, I think. I never minded, even when I was younger.

Anything is better than just hey, hey, hey... Over and over!

[beachdown]

I couldn't have put it any better myself...OP, I mean think back to when you were in JK,Sk and earlier grades, how did you refer to the teachers? One can also look at it from a cultural perspective i.e. Ma'am is a North American thing, nobody in Europe says "Ma'am"

Either is fine by me. I've been called both recently but I do think "ma'am" is more popular.

"Miss" makes me think of a young woman (like under 25), while "ma'am" makes me think of someone older (not necessarily "old" just older than 25 ish).

[BC Gal]

I would rather be called Miss no matter what my age or what the age of the person saying it is. Ma'am just makes me feel old.

[JasmineTea]

It doesn't really bother me when I am called ma'am. When I am called miss, it makes me feel younger.

[flemeth]

It does not not bother me I think its used just out of respect

[torontogal12]

I prefer miss. Ma'am sounds weird to me, but I don't hate it. The first time someone called me ma'am it made me think I was old, but I'm glad they're actually polite

My mom really, really , really hates ma'am and always has. It is just a version of Madam I think. If someome calls her ma'am she will grumble to me about why they couldn't just call her madam lol. I don't think it's an age thing, I think it is more of a regional thing?

[Darth Penguin]

I find both offensive....along with all those other cutie-patootie female only nick-names...we need a generic gender neutral honourific..

[beachdown]

More things to worry about in life though...lets be honest.