Do you remember the first time someone referred to you as ma'am? How did it make you feel?

Question

I'm 22 and the first time someone called me "ma'am" was when I was 20. I don't know if it's because I just had a baby, but I can tell you it's happened more times since then. I know I don't look old... I asked a question on here before and the average age people thought I looked (I gave them a link to a picture) was around 14! I'm married, I have a 17-month-old son, and I don't think I'm old... but it really hurt my feelings when someone referred to me as ma'am before I was even in my 30's. Is this not a big deal? Am I being a baby? How did you feel?

Answer 1

It is an expression that means respect. It means someone looks up to you and stops to realize long enough that you deserve a respectful address when speaking to you. I get called that on a regular basis because people that are much older than me get my help from me because of my job. They always so ma'am over the phone or in person because they are respecting my position. I appreciate that. It doesn't bother me. It make me happy that someone raised their child to respect other people.

Answer 2

I was a little flattered the first time. It's a sign of respect. Your a mom now and to be respected. Of course, I always say "Ma'am is my mother" and smile, and around 35 it annoyed me, but I'm at peace with my age. I'm forty two and most people think I'm thirty, tops (i am saving SOOO much money on Face lifts!)

I guess it's my southern up bringing. Ma'am is what men call women their afraid of. :)

Answer 3

If you're holding a baby in your arms, most people are going to refer to you as "ma'am" no matter how old you look! It's just sort of an automatic assumption that if you have a baby, you're married, and should be correctly addressed that way. I don't really recall how old I was - probably someplace in my 20s, though. I'm 52 now, and I'm totally used to it; but I guarantee you that the only person who can REALLY make you feel old is yourself.

Answer 4

It's not a big deal to me at all. I've been called ma'am from a young age too and I've always looked young. Some people have manners. Matter of fact, it ticks me off more when someone tells another person, "Don't call me ma'am!" Ok I'll just call you a b***CH then!" It's like they get screamed at for having good manners. What or how should they address you if they don't know your name? I think ma'am is fine and appropriate and their mother taught them a thing or two!

Answer 5

I guess there are different ways of perceiving the word ma'am. I've always just seen is as the female counterpart to sir. A generally respectful way of addressing an adult female person. It never bothered me.

Answer 6

Look don't let it bother you I bet the person calling you mam was a guy.

And depending on where they were raised, it is a sign of respect. Just as saying Sir is.

I don't know why using good manners and being respectful would offend you.

The truth of the matter is you are married and you have a child which puts you as being a Mam. Your own children should be taught to answer you as mam. Just as you will expect them to answer teachers as yes Mam or Yes Sir. Don't get bent out of shape about it every one ages it is a fact of life and every one should be respectful and use manners.

Manners have been given a bad name by people using them sarcastically and out of text or just plain getting offended. I was called Mam for the first time when I was 16 years old by a store clerk it is nothing more than being well mannered and showing respect for you honestly what did you want them to call you?

They don't know your name. Miss is inappropriate do to the fact that you are married and have a child.

Relax and quit worrying over such little things like getting old.
this is definitely your issue not theirs.

Answer 7

technically, ma'am is used when the woman is married. miss if they aren't. it had nothing to do with your age. i believe it was used out of respect. while i'm not crazy about being a ma'am,it's better than someone saying"hey lady"

Answer 8

I've not been called ma'am(obviously) but a few Xmas's ago while passing a group of drunk I dunno late teen early 20y/o women one of them came rather close and said "hallo darlin how you doing" and when she was walking away she said "OMG I've just rubbed myself up against an old man" and I was probably in my early 30's so it felt pretty bad to be called old!

Answer 9

I was 20 also, newly married, and it was the sack boy at the grocery store.

I finally decided he was being polite and didn't mean that I was old, just deserving of his respect.

Answer 10

I had just moved to TX, and I was 15. It made me feel bloody OLD!! LOL! I'm 28 now, and a business owner, so I hear it a lot and have gotten used to it.