Especially when using the phrase: "here you go, ma'am" or when allowing a lady to pass through a door first.
2006-09-04 01:01:28 · 39 answers · asked by Jonathan D 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Wow, you lot are quick.
Thanks so far sirs and ma'ams.
Oh for the return of good manners.
2006-09-04 01:05:37 · update #1
Nice to see manners is still going.
2006-09-04 03:02:55 · update #2
Yes, it is a sign of respect for the ladies, that we should practice and should not forget. These reflects our good behavior towards them. Respect every ladies the same way we respect our mother.
2006-09-04 01:05:12 · answer #1 · answered by Sam X9 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am from North East England (Newcastle) and up here we don't use ma'am because it sounds too much like mam which is the word we use for mother instead of mum like most of the rest of Britain.
However, I do have a friend from America (Texas) and he uses ma'am a lot and it makes him sound so gentlemanly and polite and generally quite respectful. And you will find that most people (usually only with the exception of old people) really react to it very positively. Especially in the modern era when manners seem to have been left behind by youngsters in particular.
2006-09-04 01:39:55 · answer #2 · answered by 2160 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a woman of 36 I do not like to be referred to as ma'am , it does make me feel old. I prefer miss , and honey by other ladies around my age. But ma'am is better than nothing. I don't think you can really go wrong using it in any situation.
2006-09-04 01:10:35 · answer #3 · answered by shane k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now Sir, As I see it you could not know if I was a miss, a mrs or a ms so Ma'am kind of covers all of them. It's nice to hear - especially these days when a lot of people wouldn't even let you pass let alone speak as well!
2006-09-04 01:09:16 · answer #4 · answered by geegee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I teach my kids to say "ma'am" and "sir" for many different reasons. It is still used in practice, tho your problem there is a lot of women do not like to be called ma'am. They look at it as them being considered an elder by whomever said it. It is a tough judgment call.
2006-09-04 01:04:13 · answer #5 · answered by jobie023 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. I strive to say it as often as possible, but whenever I do, I get weird looks. So I only say it to REALLY old people now. LOL.
Well. actually, it's used when you're serving someone. Not really an age thing anymore, more of a customer-servant relationship. So if you're a waiter at a restaurant, you'd use ma'am and sir, whereas if you're a student speaking to a teacher, you typically would not.
Being referred to as "ma'am" makes me feel unnecessarily old. But respected. LOL.
I like saying it though because old things rock.
2006-09-04 01:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by Zyxxin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will always be in date for me. And, sir is part of it too. Respect your elders.. I was raised that way, and I will always be that way. And ya know what? Not too long ago, I was at the store with my 19 year old son, and I saw him hold the door open for an old lady... that was cool.. I was proud of him because you really don't see much courtesy with the younger generation, it seems like even the 'please's' and 'thank you's' are gone. It is actually kind of sad.
2006-09-04 02:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by tootsie38 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes if you are talking to the queen of England.
I was just saying to her the other day 'dont forget you still owe me that fiver ma'am'
2006-09-04 01:27:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a must in any military establishment, and used when a person is talking to a women of higher rank, but yes it still is in use in civilian life, I use it with the older women who come into my work, it is a sign of respect, nothing more
2006-09-04 01:12:19 · answer #9 · answered by Emma O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get called ma'am. I like it, shows that people are still respectful.
2006-09-04 01:06:59 · answer #10 · answered by Tortured Soul 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋