Why would someone address me as ma’am?

[keyzlonelystar]

I feel conflicted about this because the mailman in his late 20’s/early 30’s addressed me as miss but at cvs a girl in her early/ mid 20’s addressed me as ma’am. I understand I’m not 21 anymore but I don’t think I should be called ma’am.

I look older than 38

They’re just being respectful

A total of 29 votes were cast: 6 girls and 23 guys. See detailed results

[JamesDiaz11]

Miss is a flattering term used for younger women (you're over that hill, ma'am)- and young girls.

Ma'am is actually respectful, and while I understand that you don't like the fact that you're getting older, and you're no spring chicken anymore, you should stop being so sensitive when the world recognizes this.

[KrakenAttackin]

Feminist get pissed when you call them "Miss" as they take it as "Mrs", playing they are their husbands property. (Idiotic, I know).
Ma'am is what I call women.

[Snakeyes7]

If you are in the south, it's rude in a cultural sense to not refer to people older than them like that. I think that part of culture is dying because it's a bit arbitrary, because kids there are being taught that they can't just say yes/no without a sir/ma'am.

[Missgingles]

It could be something he is trained to say for his job when talking to people. A lot of jobs where you work with people you learn some phrases. And "mam" and "sir" are for proffesional situations.

According to your profile pic I would think you are in your later 20's!😊

[Sour-rose]

Bruh, they can call you "Bitch" if you wear a shirt saying it. Otherwise, it's just known respect.

[Sixgunsound]

In Boot Camp I was told that under no circumstances will I fail to refer to any female as ma’am at any age so long as they are not in uniform. In uniform it is officers only. Enlisted get referred to by rank or title.

[Fireguy17]

It's how they were brought up.
A sign of respect.
Much better than hey toots, or hey girly.
It can also depend where the grew up.
It could be the term applied to everyone.

[WindAtMyBack]

People who work with customers are supposed to call them ma'am and sir. A lot of other people do too. There is absolutely nothing to read into it.

[Lliam]

Some people are taught to say "Yes, sir" and "Yes, ma'am". It's possible that their employers tell them to address customers that way. It's respectful.

[Dargil]

It is because he was raised to respect women. It would not surprise me if he was from the south. Or ex-military.

[BeMuse]

Would you rather that call you smelly hobo or hey you, yeah you asshole...

[BeMuse]

Stop splinting hairs. Either way they are being polite.

[BeMuse]

*they

[FunkyMonkee]

Would you rather they call you, "sir"?

[exitseven]

I call women of all ages ma'am. It is being respectful.

[DrBanana]

It could maybe be a respect thing, you could observe how they talk to others also to see if its a verbal habbit.

[LimitedBenefits101]

Lol here we go again women getting pissed at everything

But then again I can't blame because you've hit the wall.

[jasco]

depends, she could be calling you old or she could have just been taught to say ma'am to everyone

[Jenny-Marie]

I think love me, hate me, call me what you want, but don't ignore me.

[OddBeMe]

What do you want to be called?

[KrakenAttackin]

Find something else to get excited about.