Miss vs ma'am, which do you call women based on what you perceive their age to be?

[Anonymous]

[ShortCircuit]

Um... neither? I haven't used honorifics since high school. In fact, I sometimes didn't even use them then. Many of my HS teachers were fine with just using their last names. When I did use honorifics, I just defaulted to Mrs. if I didn't know the teacher's marital status. I've never used "ma'am" once in my life though.

At college, I'll either call them just "Professor" or their last name, and I've yet to have a professor that took issue with it. And at the few places I've worked, I've always called my bosses and coworkers by their first names, and them, mine.

I don't get why some people are hung up on that sort of thing. I've answered to my first name all my life, so I'll probably want to be referred to that way, no matter what position I ever find myself in. I don't see it as disrespect. I just see it as shortening titles and cutting out archaic bullshit, because successful people know that time is precious and have better things to do with it than making sure they're addressed "properly".

[someginger]

Eh i only address women with miss if it's like official or something. Other wise just hey hows it going or if there nothern hey alright

[fall_angel-86]

I tend to use ma'am unless she is clearly under the age of majority then its miss

[CapnHawk]

No matter their age, I always address women as "Miss".

[OutdoorsForLife]

Ma’am, that’s how I was raised to be polite. In Florida it’s ma’am to all ages.

[TadCurious]

This ^^^

[Sylvanas_Windrunner]

Usually just call them a kitchen

[FruitAndBlueEyes]

I always say ma’am.