2007-02-10 18:20:59 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
It depends on the CONTEXT in which you're using it--or sometimes [not always] the spelling.
For instances:
Madame--is a proper name to address a female if you do not know her and not sure what her surname is or how she would prefer to be addressed.
"Madame, may I help you?", "Madame, could I have this dance please?" "Right this way, Madame."
[notice the "e" at the end too, that's Old English and proper and when you call a female this, you are showing her "respect"]
Or Madam--is used when describing a brothel house or a brothel house "caretaker", "manager" or owner, or when speaking of someone's job occupation in legalized prostitution...or as in the days of the old west when brothels were common but not legally sanctioned or dis-approved of.
"She is A madam" or "She's THE madam" or "She's a Madam" or "That is where the Madam lives"
[notice NO "e" at the end--that is New English-and acceptable although not proper--and when you call a female THIS you are in essence calling her the "Mother of Whores" or "The Person in Charge of the Prostitutes"]
So to answer your question: It depends.
2007-02-10 20:32:42 · answer #1 · answered by Bat Cave 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Miss = Madam
2007-02-11 02:23:51 · answer #2 · answered by Help me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Madame is French for Mrs. Madamoiselle is French for Miss. Most people don't use Madam in English anymore because in English it's often associated with being "a madam" or a woman who sells her body, or pimps out the bodies of other women..
In the States to respond to or get the attention of a married or older woman most people say ma'am. Children say "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" in many parts of the country when responding to their mothers.
In the States to respond to or get the attention of a younger woman or a woman who you're not sure of her marital status many people call her "miss." For example when I'm around children many of them call me "Miss Jen." I didn't ask them to. It's just that in their community giving someone a title before their name is a sign of respect.
I hope this helps.
2007-02-11 02:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Madam or ma'am is a title for a woman. It is derived from the French madame, the equivalent of Mrs. or Ms., and literally signifying "my lady." The plural of madam in this sense is mesdames.
Madam is also an informal term for a woman who runs an escort service, brothel or otherwise manages prostitution; a female pimp. The plural of madam in this sense is regular: madams
2007-02-11 05:52:41 · answer #4 · answered by ivan_beals 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Calling her madam can be a sign of respect. But calling her a madam is basically the same as calling her a pimp.
2007-02-11 02:24:02 · answer #5 · answered by Justin H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Heidi Fleiss "The Holywood Madam" was basically a woman pimp. She had chicks that lived with her, and she supplied the room and the girls would have sex with guys (such as Charlie Sheen) and then they give a huge cut of the money to the Madam.
2007-02-11 02:25:24 · answer #6 · answered by Swanky1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Madam...respectfully.
2007-02-11 05:52:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Madam is derived from Madamoiselle (not positive about the spelling), which is the french name for a women that is to be respected.
2007-02-11 02:23:38 · answer #8 · answered by davidsnoodles 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a French term of respect to a married or older woman the same as Senora in Spanish,or in American English ,Ma'am.
2007-02-11 02:26:36 · answer #9 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A professional services coordinator.
2007-02-11 02:23:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋