What does it mean if a random guy calls you ma’am and you still look like a teen?

[bunnyboo364]

it’s not a bad thing i’m just curious, i heard most men call women “ma’am” to be respectfully. but what about the women that genuinely look younger or have baby faces. is it just women in general. cause i thought it was respect towards older women

[DishLady]

It's just a thing. It's intended to be courteous and respectful, though sometimes also a little flirty. I'll give you three examples:

• TEASING/COURTEOUS: I tend to be way shorter than most of the guys I know and yet I've always had to manage a team of guys since college. "Yes ma'am" was always the standard reply, sometimes with a smirk, sometimes sincere bc we had a serious deadline to meet.
• RESPECTFUL/COURTEOUS: A guy was standing by a door once, having a smoke and watching me drag a zillion Christmas packages onto my shopping cart then haul my kid out of the car. I was ~22/23 at the time. With a slightly pleading look I asked if he'd open the door for me and he just smiled and said, "Yes ma'am" without any hesitation.
• FLIRTING/TEASING: A guy was chatting me up at a party. Whenever I looked over at him he'd give this nice warm smile that reached his eyes and ask "What is it?" or just raise his brow to "ask" and I'd make a comment that he'd reply with "Yes ma'am" or "Yes dear" intermittently.

Hope this is helpful.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

There is no “Miss” anymore unless you’re referring to a woman by her surname that’s also presumably her maiden name. “Ma’am” is standard for any and all adult women now. If you take offense to it, don’t talk to customer service folks and you won’t have to hear “Yes, ma’am”

[Pterodon]

Ya know I was walking the other day and I was wearing a ball cap which I seldom do and I passed a young woman your age and as I passed I tipped my hat and said ma’am. I think manners have gone completely away. I wonder if a guy your age would know how to seat you. I doubt it. Stop overthinking it’s a sign of respect

[Bricealan]

@bunnyboo364 Well bunny boo, just being ignorant of how to address a 'young' woman as opposed to addressing a 'mature' or married woman. The guy doesn't know the difference between the two ways to address a girl and a woman.

[Bricealan]

@bunnyboo364 Don't be fooled, bunny, it is not a 'sign of respect", it is a sign of ignorance, as the moron does not know a very young woman is a "Miss" and an older mature woman is "Ma-am". Respect has nothing to do with it. Stupid has everything to do with it.

An older man would not address a young 'teen guy" as "Sir" for the same reason.

[LazerBean]

In the south it doesn't mean anything, It's just a part of the politeness in their culture

[slatyb]

Nothing to do with age; in some locations that's normal for formal (commercial) relationships. In France everyone is "Monsieur" or "Madame" unless they are familiar.

[jahaims]

It's for females. It has nothing to do with age. Same as sir for males

[supercutebutt]

You are an adult now, Bunny. So you are officially a ma'am.

[OlderAndWiser]

It probably means her is a a Southerner raised by good parents.

[Abbycado]

Honestly, could be as simple as being his "thing". You know?

[Amur8711]

It depends on where they were raised, southern American men I believe are taught to address any woman with ma'am.

[Bklynbadboy12]

There just showing respect and to me its the best was to address a young lady

[NathanDavis]

it's just a habit ma'am

[dudeinohio]

Some just do it to all women to be polite.

[stevef73]

Respect

[eagle1951]

shows respect