Am I the only one here who absolutely hates being called "maam"?

[Anonymous]

I don't like it. Don't call me that. I automatically think of lonely old spinsters living with 20 or so cats in a draughty old house, whenever I come across that term.
This person, on the other hand, insists upon it! :D

Updates

+1 y

Some people in the comments think I'm bitter, or over-reacting. I'm neither, I just think the term "maam" is cringey as hell. It's irritating too, like sucking a lemon, or someone scraping their fingernails on a blackboard.
Don't take the question too seriously. Lighten up. :D

Updates

+1 y

This is ridiculous. People are taking this WAY too seriously, and actually becoming emotional about it. I don't like being called "maam" simply because where I live no one uses that term EVER. It's a foreign expression, one that I'm not used to, but I get called that here on GAG.
I think I'll delete this question, and if I can't do that, then disown it, because too many of you here are just getting far too carried away with it, and are not thinking straight.

[Th3ft]

Haha! I saw this yesterday when you posted it and I didn’t have the time to watch the video. Haha that is too funny though! I guess she was an older woman.
I know a lot of younger woman my age and younger that do not like it like yourself. But i think it ties in to that generational marker. We call our seniors titles of respect and so we think of our parents as “Sir” or “Ma’am” and not ourselves. Which also touches in to the professional community. Everyone is a “ma’am” or “sir” in a business perspective. Sometimes “miss” but that I think has been more of a thing in the last 15 years. before that the only time someone referred to a girl as “miss” was if she was Obviously a child. As for my I would be okay with calling you anything you want as long as it isn’t mommy. Haha!

[Th3ft]

Well thank you for giving me a MHO before disowning it! Haha! Yeah these people are ridiculous!

[KostasKouvalis]

No. I feel the same about being called "Sir"
One thing I hate about going to Poland, where my family is from, is everyone is so formal over there. And it irritates the hell out of me to have people "Siring" me all the time. They think it's a sign of respect, but coming from the US, I find it irritating as hell.
And like even when they're just talking/quoting about someone, they'll do it. My mom does this all the time, and it's so irritating. Like just say the person's name like a normal person 😂

[KostasKouvalis]

Thanks again3😁

[Flower7]

I hate it too. It’s especially weird when it’s done by someone my same age or someone older than me.

[elizamichale1]

Hehe count me in as well honey i also hate it

[elizamichale1]

Darling... dont... why would u disown or delete something just because sum people couldn't understand u? U do not owe them any explanations...

[AMS700CX4u2]

Ok , I'm 71 years young and I grew up in the Fla and Georgia area. We were taught from birth to respect our elders, especially members of the opposite sex. Now? I'm not so sure that all elders deserve my respect. But I am of the opinion that if I address someone with respect and they respond poorly to it them it is not because I was disrespectful. I have found that people from the North appear to feel differently about it. It seems they are taught to only use Sir and Ma;am when addressing people older than themselves. I discovered this when I addressed my Departmental Manager as Ma'am and got a face full of claws followed by the comment "Do you think I am Older than You". Never occurred to me! I know that Ma'am if a contraction of Madam. That may be inappropriate because I think that Madam should be used for married women only and Mademoiselle for the unmarried. I will not use terms that denigrate or vilify women or their sexuality. I know there are people who are comfortable with 'Bitch", "Whore" and "Slut". I AM NOT. It may sound pretentious. We are not in the French Court. I know after the French Revolution all were addressed as "Citizen". That sounds cold to me. Very sorry if I offended anyone.

[Screenwriter]

Well, I'm a Southern Belle and EVERYONE AND THEIR CAT IS Ma'am-ed around here.

It's a term of respect. If you're young enough, people often substitute "Miss".. but "Madame" is more correct because it includes married as well as unmarried women.

And "Madame" is what "Ma'am" refers to. It is equivalent to "Monsieur," which is what "Sir" refers to. One means, My lady or my woman, the other means My man or my sir.

Nothing about either term being used is cringey or offensive. They are both signs of the utmost respect toward a stranger.

[PatriceONeal]

Ma'am you're 25 and the term is used in a respectful way. It's Ma'am or Miss. Just like Sir or Mister. It's respectful and is said to appease you are do right by the person. Its sht like this that make men not want to talk or approach women. You're all so goddamn insecure.

[Asker]

What? You think that I'm "insecure" based upon a single, solitary question? Is that your professional assessment, Dr. O'Neal?
It isn't "respectful", it's insulting, but I'm very approachable. Just don't call me that ridiculous word.

[platanomaduro]

Don't lump us all in. Also you're too old to not know that it's not respectful anymore if she doesn't want to be called that.

[PatriceONeal]

@platanomaduro I'm too old to know? Lmao what?

[PatriceONeal]

If calling you ma'am is insulting, than what's the alternative? Queen? Your highness?

[Asker]

"Miss". In Australia NO ONE says "maam". It's foreign. You respect people by calling them what they want to be called. You don't get to decide for them.

[MuddyMole]

I hate all those formal forms of address - sir, madam, miss, etc.
I never use them myself, and I don't like being called "sir" (maybe if I get a knighthood from the Queen). As an outdoor guide, I'm always on a first-name basis with clients (the only downside being that I have to instantly memorize the names of everyone in the group, every session).

[Screenwriter]

And ya know, that is the beauty of Sir, Madam, Miss, ma'am... You don't have to recall someone's personal name. I don't like people who I don't know calling me by my first name, but it's taken to be folksy and a "personal" touch. Young folk call me Miss Ann, which is also very Southern and I like that fine. Unless I TELL you to call me by my first name, don't do it. And I often FORGET first names, so being able to fall back on sir, miss or madam is helpful to me and it's never bad manners, no matter how irritating it might be to you.

This first name stuff has been a societal change that I think is taken from the servant class. Everyone who is below you in the status equation can be referred to as if they're small children: by their first names, no matter if they're younger or older than you. This is quite backwards. Consult "Miss Manners

[MuddyMole]

@Screenwriter My clients are mostly families on holiday, doing a fun activity, so it's a very casual, relaxed atmosphere - noone wants to feel like they're back in school or a business meeting. There's also a safety element to it, as the activities are actually potentially quite dangerous, and I do need to be able to immediately get the attention of any one individual in the group.

The real point though, is that I don't believe in status - we're all equal here, and everyone deserves equal respect (at least until they give you a reason not to respect them). Elderly people do not deserve any special treatment (their generation is arguably to blame for most of the world's problems, but that's a whole different discussion), and I don't expect any special treatment from children.

I also don't see any benefits to formalities in general. Like why do corporate types have to wear suits? It serves no purpose other than being the expected thing to do, and thankfully, the pandemic is making it a thing of the past.

[Screenwriter]

Suits and formal names are signs of status and, granted, some people deserve status and cowtowing, and others do not. Do I blame my parents for ruining the world? How can you blame people who did not know they were damaging the planet?

My dad used to pour oil and gasoline under our house until I told him he was poisoning the groundwater beneath our feet. It had never occurred to him and was outside of his knowledge that there was groundwater to poison. The oil and gasoline he poured under our house, in his mind, killed the ants and roaches. Also killed everything else. Remember about people shooting up in the air on New Year's? :My dad used to do that also until people and cars were getting hit from falling shotgun pellets and bullets! Ignorance has caused most of the world's problems.

But now that we are aware of the issues, though some are still naysaying, lord, we can act: I want my son and his future children to have a lovely, clean, safe life. I recycle, have a compost pile, grow vegetables, patronize the farmer's market... buy local... Sew and repair as much of my own clothes as possible. Have rain barrels. Working to create a bioswale. in my front yard. I am doing everything that I can do... I wash my plastic storage bags and reuse them until I have to recycle them. I cook at home and freeze food and I'm going to buy a small freezer by Christmas to save more food for future use and throw away less. Blame me if I do nothing. There are many, many people young and old today who are doing NOTHING. We all have to pitch in for all of us.

[possumpi26]

I'm with you! I only like being called "ma'am" in bed on role playing nights when I'm dressed up like a school librarian.

[Anonymous]

I can see that


I know it’s not the same but it makes me feel awkward when people call me sir and I’m only 16. The first time I was called sir I was 12, and I felt really weird and awkward

[PatriceONeal]

OK kid. Better?

[Asker]

Exactly. It's weird.

[Opinion Owner]

Well that would be weird too since nobody refers to you as kid even as a kid. Like the server at a restaurant calls me sir, weird. If they ever called a kid kid it would be weird too haha

[Opinion Owner]

Your update to the question is funny

[TommyMountainFigure]

Can I ask what you prefer being called then? I mean... If your name is unknown and I wanted to attract your attention, do I just shout Oy?

[Asker]

Oi! Hey you!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Yes... that lol

[TommyMountainFigure]

OI you!!! is ma'am worse than milady or better, I dunno

[TommyMountainFigure]

Nope,, hey you and oi both seem a bit cold to me.. I'll keep thinking of better options.. Darlin' ? That one alright?

[TommyMountainFigure]

Did you know here in the UK it is how you address female Police Officers (at any age).. with ma'am

[Asker]

"Miss"
I don't live in the UK or the US, so what applies there is irrelevant.

[TommyMountainFigure]

Yeah 'miss' does sound better, I agree. I just wanted to point out as a matter of reference (police women being called ma'am here) meaning that it wasn't meant as a derogatory. for any age.

[Lionman95]

I get where you come from especially as it's normally used to refer to old ladies.
What would you prefer instead as a formal addressing?

[Asker]

Exactly, it's for old ladies, old grannies. It's also too formal. I don't need a "formal address", just call me by my first name.

[Lionman95]

Ok I get that. I also don´t like formal language because I feel like I´m not yet in a stage where such way of addressing is suitable. Like I don´t like if a woman calls me sir though that rarely happened.

[PatriceONeal]

Not everyone knows your name... ma'am and miss are used in place of your name...

[Lionman95]

@PatriceONeal true not everybody might know her name but in a time where nearly know no one uses such formal language to address a person it sounds a bit weird.
Especially as Ma'am is usually used to address older women that's nothing a young woman wants to be called so I can understand her.

[dustybiker]

Don’t knock respect. You'll miss it when it’s gone.

[PatriceONeal]

She doesn't appreciate it now, what makes you think she'll miss it. She'll take up the victimhood roll like all the girls like here.

[dustybiker]

@PatriceONeal Everyone goes through their own process. Just like you with your hate for girls. Nobody is perfect.

[dustybiker]

I change *hate to *frustration

[PatriceONeal]

It's neither, I simply understand them. The baseline understanding is considered sexist by societal standards. I don't adhere nor defer to public opinion.

[dustybiker]

@PatriceONeal You might think you understand them, doesn’t appear you actually do.

[PatriceONeal]

Coming from a pink dusty baker your opinion means less than a childs

[PatriceONeal]

Labeling me a hater of women. Must be convenient when you need to avoid the truth. Just be toxic to strangers!

[dustybiker]

@PatriceONeal Struck the truth, did I? It’s clear in your childish replies just how on point I am. Thanks for proving my point. 👏

[FilmGuy93]

I feel a little bit weird saying it. Ma'am is a very formal way to address a woman, and it's not something I will typically say unless I'm in a professional setting.

[Toast792]

I look kind of feminine so I get it sometimes. Not a big fan but it's whatever. That woman in the video looks like she's had a rough day 😅

[legalboxers]

*rolls eyes* Im former volly law enforcement and former volly military. Calling Ma'am and Sir is a sign of respect. Would you want to be called Ms if we dont know your married or widowed? if you are a widower?

[Anonymous]

That Dude needs to be Put on schizophrenia medication 💊

[SeekingVirginWife]

Ma'am is reserved for non-virgins, it is to show them respect of how old and wise they have grown from experience.

[bean2k21]

I love how it said "I will show you a fucking sir!" as if equating manhood with someone who displays violent behavior.

[Sour-rose]

Well they could call me "bish" or "n*gger" but they don't... sooo that'll do?

[Juxtapose]

If I don't know you that's what I'm going to call you 🤷‍♂️

[Asker]

No you're not.

[Juxtapose]

You can't stop me.

[Asker]

I can block you :P

[Juxtapose]

I meant irl if I randomly came across you.

[Asker]

"Miss". I only ever get called "maam" here on GAG, because there are so many Yanks.

[Juxtapose]

I am a Yankee, is it really seen as so weird in Australia?

[KrakenAttackin]

@Juxtapose Agreed. Do you believe these fucking zoomer clowns?

[one1wild00]

If they were raised "Old School" then they are trying to show an elder (doesn't matter if it's 5 minutes or 500 years) respect. Take it in the intent vein its offered, as respect.

[jasco]

Ma'am is used a form of respect usually to a older lady, or someone of high ranking that's a woman. Ofc it can be used as a con to

[fcrosby]

Anybody that needs to throw a temper tantrum because they have been mis-identified is a selfish, immature attention-whore. Regardless of how you identify or what pronouns you prefer, IT WAS A MISTAKE. GROW UP!

[Subarugirl]

The only thing I could imagine that would be worse is having an ass as my profile picture

[PatriceONeal]

LOL yes ma'am

[zagor]

What do you want?

Hey bitch, can I help you find something?

[Asker]

No. A simple "Hey you" will suffice.

[PatriceONeal]

Hey you is going to get more neg response than excuse me miss or ma'am.

[lamaguy]

That’s really funny, Zagor

[Adronicus]

No, I wouldn't like it either tbh:)
"Hey ma'am, where's the ham"? :p

[cloud9vortex1234]

Some people do it out of habit not taking into account that you are younger than them. I've caught myself doing that by mistake.

[cloud9vortex1234]

No, it doesn't bother me at all.

[Agape93]

Nope. I have actually problems in life.

[Asker]

And my life is completely problem-free! Aren't I lucky? :)

[Agape93]

Enough so where a polite term can be considered an absolute hatred.

[Asker]

Oh do lighten up. I just find it annoying, that's all, because where I live (Australia) absolutely NO ONE ever uses that term. It's completely foreign.

[RuthlessAggression]

Seems like a silly thing to complain about but I'm sure there's others who COMPLAIN about it too

[RuthlessAggression]

I wonder why I didn't get MHO. I pointed out the truth, probably, and you didn't like it

[Philyouup]

well your profile pic, if it’s your ass, could never be mistaken for an old
lady’s ass.

[KrakenAttackin]

@Philyouup. Which is exactly why she posted it. More thirst trapping.

[Nerdvana]

Happens as you get older, it's more a sign of respect for a stranger.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

OH MEH GUH LOL. I call everyone “ma’am” whenever I need them to move

[KrakenAttackin]

Too damn bad. "Ma'am" is a term of respect. If you don't like it that's a problem between your ears.

[888theGreat]

hottie with the sexy bottie

[Asker]

Acceptable! :D

[Anonymous]

Calling women ma’am just feels sooooo good though. So good. 😂

[Anonymous]

its a trans

he has no GOD and he will not make it to the most high

BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT HIM

[berwise13]

No I don't like being called ma'am. I don't like to be called sir.

[Anonymous]

Would you rather I call you "bitch"? Get the fuck over yourself. Ma'am is a term of RESPECT when used appropriately.

[exitseven]

I use that as a sign of respect

[lightbulb27]

forgive us, we are not biologists...

[Sarahslater3738]

I hate being called fat

[yyyuuuiii]

Lol.

[saintsRow3]

Well are you Fat?

[Sarahslater3738]

@saintsRow3 I have a belly

[saintsRow3]

Well that’s why You hate it cause you know it’s True. Just Start working out every day go on runs every day and Limit Your eating habits to smaller meals. Get your caloric Intake checked and use that to your advantage.

[PatriceONeal]

@saintsRow3 no bro lie to her. Call her queen and beautiful no matter what. Should solve her problems

[Sarahslater3738]

@PatriceONeal and put out

[saintsRow3]

Yah okay buddy she’s Fat and it’s good she recognizes that she needs to change it’s also good that she hates being called Fat it means she Hates the Fat she Carries with her on a daily basis. She can channel that Hatred into motivation with hatred To lose that weight and become healthy.

[yyyuuuiii]

Fat.

[Sarahslater3738]

@saintsRow3 ok you don’t need to be mean

[Sarahslater3738]

@yyyuuuiii what are u referring to

[saintsRow3]

You thought that was mean ha nah that was me being nice trying to help guide you in the right direction To a better and healthier you.
Be Fat all you want I don’t care 🤷‍♂️ go eat Your Fat food 🥘 Do me a Favor go to your fridge and eat Till your sick you Fat Fuck.

[saintsRow3]

So You call me mean and Act like you don’t want my help Then You Follow me what’s up with that?
You got 2 choices in life be Fat
Or Make a change and start being healthy with working out going on runs. You only got 1 life to Live
My brother Tried to kill himself right in front of His parents last night because He doesn’t wanna stop being a Drunk. So which is it?
Eat a lot which is causing harm to you. You can’t say you care about yourself when Your not even trying to become FIT you could start now
Do some push-ups right now for me then go outside on a run.
And anybody who makes fun of you Tell them to Fuck off that your trying to lose weight and become a better and healthier version of you.

That better and healthier version of you exist you just gotta do the work to bring that version of you Into reality.

[Jamie05rhs]

@saintsRow3 isn't being mean at all. Everything he said is true, and is really wise advice. He would be a good friend to have in your life. Because he actually cares about you and he isn't afraid of telling the truth.

[saintsRow3]

Thanks Jamie and I definitely Agree.

[Sarahslater3738]

@saintsRow3 well I’m not ready to start working out or dieting

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sarahslater3738 Okay; that's fine. But just monitor your weight on the scale and make sure you're not going the opposite direction. If you're maintaining, that's one thing. But if it's going up, that's when you need to start being concerned.

I got scared recently this past year when I noticed my weight going up. That's when I realized that I needed to stop avoiding the issue and kicking the can down the road.

I totally understand if you feel like you're not ready yet. But just remember that you're 27 now. So it's better to start sooner than later. The older we get, the harder it is to lose the weight and get in shape.

[TacosRAwesome]

Yeah not a fan either but whatever.

[lofii]

No I don't mind ma'am

[Asker]

Whatev SIR! :P

[PatriceONeal]

No rational man is going to be offended by being called a term of respect.

[Asker]

@PatriceONeal Where I am the word "maam" isn't even used, by anyone. We either call each other by our first names if we know each other, or use terms like "Miss". It isn't a term of respect if the person you're directing it towards doesn't want to be referred to that way.

[PatriceONeal]

I've heard women get offended by miss and preferred ma'am instead. We as men are done with your bullshit...

[Asker]

@PatriceONeal We as men? You only speak for yourself. Well, I'm tired of YOUR bullshit! Seriously, just go away!

[lofii]

www.sammyboy.com/attachments/tenor-gif.101158/

[PatriceONeal]

So better to not talk to anyone since you can never read their snowflake brain to know what words you are allowed to say in their holy graces. Lol

[Shamalien]

Whatever you say

... ma’am ;)

[Xtendable]

My wife used to hate it

[Anonymous]

This is a you problem.

[Taimurkhan]

yes, coz girls like to call themself Maam

[Jamie05rhs]

Sorry, ma'am.

[platanomaduro]

Y'all are so childish at these grown ages

[Jamie05rhs]

@platanomaduro 😝

[platanomaduro]

😩😩😩

[Asker]

"Maam" is too formal SIR. :P

[Jamie05rhs]

@Snsl153 Touché. 🎩

[PatriceONeal]

@platanomaduro you women are clearly the childish ones.

[Jamie05rhs]

Re: update: Yeah, I wasn't taking it seriously, either! I was just joking around. 👍

[Jamie05rhs]

🤷🙃

[vald9inches]

I hate it too lol

[Erron_Black]

Maybe only yu

[Asker]

Okay, maybe it is. So what?

[Erron_Black]

I always respect :)

[Sabretooth]

sorry... MA'AM!!!

[Anonymous]

no..