Comments on: Ma’am??? http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/ Sweat the Small Stuff: Ranting about the little peeves in life Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:33:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Caroline http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-161 Caroline Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:44:00 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-161 I have to say I always use the word Ma'am when Im dealing with lady customers at the store I work at! If I happen to be introduced by the salesperson who brings the customer to the paying desk & I'm given a name then I use the name...but otherwise I use Sir for the blokes & ma'am for the ladies. Having said that..I probabaly wouldnt use Ma'am toward anyone much under 25 and fall back on a plain ' may I help u there?" 'MIss' just seems...wrong...'lady'..nahhh..'oi Mrs' ....doesn't sound good either and Im the wrong side of 40 to be using babe, hon etc towards people I don't know. The word ,to my mind,provides a little more of a respectful tone when addressing lady customers & I've had no complaints so far. Old fashioned it probably is...but then I'm just an old fashioned girl! :) I have to say I always use the word Ma’am when Im dealing with lady customers at the store I work at!
If I happen to be introduced by the salesperson who brings the customer to the paying desk & I’m given a name then I use the name…but otherwise I use Sir for the blokes & ma’am for the ladies. Having said that..I probabaly wouldnt use Ma’am toward anyone much under 25 and fall back on a plain ‘ may I help u there?” ‘MIss’ just seems…wrong…’lady’..nahhh..’oi Mrs’ ….doesn’t sound good either and Im the wrong side of 40 to be using babe, hon etc towards people I don’t know.

The word ,to my mind,provides a little more of a respectful tone when addressing lady customers & I’ve had no complaints so far. Old fashioned it probably is…but then I’m just an old fashioned girl! :)

]]> By: Marcia http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-159 Marcia Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:18:38 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-159 I would take "Ma'am" over "sweetie"!!! Actually the clerk was being polite which seems to be a dying thing these days. I'd be insulted with "Miss" - that's too young...and Ali is rightm Hey Babe just isn't okay...our coffee stand employees call everyone Sweetie, Hun or Babe - blech! Okay, I'll admit it - and occasional "hello young lady" makes my day - coming from the right person. I would take “Ma’am” over “sweetie”!!! Actually the clerk was being polite which seems to be a dying thing these days. I’d be insulted with “Miss” - that’s too young…and Ali is rightm Hey Babe just isn’t okay…our coffee stand employees call everyone Sweetie, Hun or Babe - blech! Okay, I’ll admit it - and occasional “hello young lady” makes my day - coming from the right person.

]]> By: jane hodges http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-149 jane hodges Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:42:10 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-149 Why does Ma'amness have to be matronly, or old and motherly??? I was in the states a few weeks back and i loved it when someone in the shop or hotel or whatever would say 'yes ma'am' or 'can i help you ma'am'. Yes i am 51 but i'm far from being 'matronly'. People should be so polite in the UK...they usually look at you and say ...'yes?' and then look at you like you're disturbing their peace. Or even worse, 'Yes, Love'...LOVE???? I'm not their Love. Give me Ma'am any day. Why does Ma’amness have to be matronly, or old and motherly??? I was in the states a few weeks back and i loved it when someone in the shop or hotel or whatever would say ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘can i help you ma’am’. Yes i am 51 but i’m far from being ‘matronly’. People should be so polite in the UK…they usually look at you and say …’yes?’ and then look at you like you’re disturbing their peace. Or even worse, ‘Yes, Love’…LOVE???? I’m not their Love. Give me Ma’am any day.

]]> By: Ali http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-146 Ali Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:51:30 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2006/11/21/maam/#comment-146 26!!! I have tooth fillings older then you! I would not worry about your Ma’amness. I’m sure the young man saw a woman balancing kids and as surprising as it is in this day and age but he showed respect. I mean you are someone’s mother and a “Hey babe.” just wouldn’t cut it. At your place in the time line age is not creeping up on you...it’s still waiting in line to get a ticket...at my age (48) it’s sitting in the seat next to me and we are making plans. And this Ma’am does not take offence as with age comes wisdom... 26!!! I have tooth fillings older then you! I would not worry about your Ma’amness. I’m sure the young man saw a woman balancing kids and as surprising as it is in this day and age but he showed respect. I mean you are someone’s mother and a “Hey babe.” just wouldn’t cut it. At your place in the time line age is not creeping up on you…it’s still waiting in line to get a ticket…at my age (48) it’s sitting in the seat next to me and we are making plans. And this Ma’am does not take offence as with age comes wisdom…

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