Is it okay for a man to call a 24 yr old woman m'am? Does m'am imply that the person looks old, or is it just a formal way of adressing someone young? Someone please tell me.
2006-08-11 18:06:28 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
That is the correct way to address any woman who is clearly past puberty and is unknown to you.
2006-08-12 02:49:35 · answer #1 · answered by wmp55 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
M'am is usually used to address females in the military of higher rank than the speaker. Other than that, it's usually used casually by some people anywhere from 6-20 years old. Some may take it as an insult if you are of higher rank or older than the addressee.
2006-08-12 01:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by sandman85048 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
M'am is usually a respectful term, used for someone who is older than the speaker. It stands for madam, and you wouldn't call a 24-year-old madam. If you did it in a teasing way, that might be different. As in snapping to attention and saying, "Yes, M'am!" But as a general way of addressing a young woman, it would be frowned upon.
2006-08-12 01:11:26 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess it's a generic honorific for a woman, same way "Mr" is for men.
Imagine: A police constable approaches a lady struggling with her groceries. Not knowing her marital status, he'll go, "Excuse, M'am. Do you need some help with that?"
And "M'am" is definitely more polite than "miss" for women of above a certain age that you know aren't married.
2006-08-12 01:24:48 · answer #4 · answered by Alvin X 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
M'am is a sign of respect, but is usually reserved for older women who are matronly. Personally, I think it's old fashioned an most women would prefer to be called by "Miss" rather than "M'am"
2006-08-12 01:12:27 · answer #5 · answered by seattlecutiepie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a lot more accepted in the South, but almost any other woman under the age of 50 will take it as a suggestion that she is MUCH older than the speaker. Even in Virginia, though, I think I'd be sure to be at least out of swinging range if you call a 24 year old ma'am.
2006-08-12 01:11:21 · answer #6 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 55 and clearly a m'am. But if I were 24 or 34... I wouldn't appreciate it!
2006-08-12 01:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ma'am: a term of respectful or polite address for a woman.
2. A term to address a female military seargant.
Society has mixed the idea of respect and age. I rarely call a woman ma'am but the times I do the women looks highly offended.
I say there is no real reason to, but better to lay off the ma'ams nowadays.
2006-08-12 01:10:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all a 24 year old should never be called Ma'am. Second of all unless you are military or former military where it can be viewed by civilians as an ingrained habit stay away from it. It's too much of a minefield and hard to use appropriately. Many women find it to be condescending or an age reference. Northerners find it particularly offensive and in the south you might still run into trouble. So like I said, stay away from it unless you are military.
2006-08-12 01:36:13 · answer #9 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's just polite, i am called m'am and it does make me feel old but it's just being polite so i don't mind. sometimes i think it's better than being called "miss" b/c then it's saying i'm a kid or something
2006-08-12 01:09:39 · answer #10 · answered by lulucakes32 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i hate being called m'am because it makes me wonder if my voice sounds old. but it shouldnt cuz im still young!
2006-08-12 01:13:04 · answer #11 · answered by Kaitlyn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋