Why am I always being called ma'am? I'm 21 years old but everyone... cashiers, faculty at my college, random

[Anonymous]

people in stores that ask random questions (where is this, what time is it), etc calls me ma'am. I hear it from both men and women, but more often from men, ranging from my own age to fifties. And it's not the dress style, because I hear it no matter what I'm wearing whether it's a t-shirt and jeans, a fancy or even showy dress, professional looking outfit, short shorts, etc. Anyway not sure if this matters, but I am told quite often by friends, family, strangers, whoever that I look demure, calm, collected, sincere, and other similar-meaning terms. So what's up?

[Purplelove010]

I don't know I guess that's just what people are used to doing. Having good manners is a good habit. Although I am 20 years old & some people call me ma'am I just think of it as a habit for some people. It does seem strange being called ma'am at such a young age, but that's just the way people show respect.

[JZ_817]

Since I been working at a grocery store for a while now, I've grown accustomed to call customers/strangers ma'am or sir no matter what age they are. Its just a habit. I guess you must live in the southern united states?

[Asker]

northeastern... when I visit relatives in North Carolina, it seems normal, but up where I live it just seems odd.

[DeepBlue]

It's just something people say. Don't read too much into it.

[Sbsbdicjf]

Basically, this.

[RememberWhenItRained]

are you in the south? It's common everywhere, but especially the south,

Most people are trying to be polite; as a cashier, I call just about everyone ma'am or sir.

[Honest-Matt]

ma'am is a word to acknowledge someone, not to age or say something about you. Sir and ma'am, if anything it's respectful.

[Anonymous]

Chill out ma'am, they're just being polite.

[Asker]

I get that, but from guys my own age, it's just weird to hear

[Anonymous]

its just a polite thing to say "sir" and "ma'am"