I am from California and I asked this 20 year old looking guy a question. He responded, "Yes Ma'am." I didn't understand this. Isn't ma'am supposed to be used on older looking women. I look like I am 16 or 17 years old
2007-03-19 17:23:40 · 28 answers · asked by lavender 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
no, it's short for madam
any female can be called ma'am
2007-03-19 17:26:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I am really young and I get called Miss a lot but some times I get called ma'am by a service person waiting on me.
2015-06-26 09:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Smith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is just being a gentleman. My family is from the south and everything was yes or no ma'am or yes or no sir. I usually do not call a 18 year old ma'am though. I do call my elders that though. shows respect
2007-03-19 17:28:21 · answer #3 · answered by carriec 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ma'am doesn't apply only to older women, some people are raised to say sir & ma'am as a way of showing respect to others, even to strangers, assume others are deserving of respect unless they give you good reason not to respect them.
2007-03-19 17:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by K C 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but I have to say this.
REALLY? You don't know...your parents did not teach you...that saying sir and ma'am was a polite thing to do, regardless of age?
Since they did not, I will explain.
It is respectful to speak to people you do not know in a formal tone. Sir, Ma'am, Mister, Ms. Mrs. Dr. etc are formal titles. It is not respectful to call people you don't know "DUDE" or "BUD" or "Bra" as these are familiar tones, and rather improper.
Further not only is respect the issue, it is generally rude. What did you expect him to say... "yeah beeeotch fo shizzle"
Really.
2007-03-19 19:44:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well some people have been raised to call all women ma'am. It is sort of manners or etiquette. Maybe he was being a smart *** or maybe he was serious you may never know.
2007-03-19 19:24:52 · answer #6 · answered by AC 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well i don't think it really matters... he's prolly just used to saying ma'am because of different jobs he mightve had or something like a supermarket cashier... you sound like you're a 30 year old who just got called ma'am for the first time haha
2007-03-19 17:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by yourconshence 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1) Perhaps out of respect. or 2) You look older than you are. 3) I'm 19... no one's ever called me ma'am and this may be because I look like I'm 16.
2007-03-19 17:27:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
ma'am is a sign of respect to any young lady,child or woman.
2007-03-19 17:58:44 · answer #9 · answered by ♣♣K+J-alltheway♣♣ 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
im 15 and people call me ma'am all the time
maybe we just look like old people
:(
2007-03-19 17:27:09 · answer #10 · answered by Megan 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I believe your "ma'am" connotation is wrong, I believe it can be used for any female, just to be polite.
2007-03-19 17:27:03 · answer #11 · answered by adklsjfklsdj 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋