Does it make you feel crappy when teenagers call you sir or m'am?

Question

I am 27 years old and this has been happening to me more and more frequently over the past couple years.

I know they're just being polite, but doesn't it make you feel old?

Then again, most people I work with are 50ish. The other day one of them told me I am "still a baby in swaddling clothes," which was funny enough but doesn't help with the m'am issue.

Answer 1

The first time that happened to me, I looked at the teen square in his eyes for a full minute until he blushed. With my sharp detection skills I concluded that no malice was intended.

Good thing.

He was being nice.

Answer 2

I first noticed it when I was 25, it was brief and rare but on occasion the pimply store clerk would call me ma'am :/

Yeah it made me feel old, considering I was only in my twenties for pity's sake. But I realized something, when it comes to costumer service, people are trained to say things like "ma'am" or "sir" when talking to anyone over 18 (or whatever the legal age limit is where you are). So, it's nothing personal, they're just doing their jobs.

Could be worse, "ma'am" is a whole lot better than "hey old bag" ;)

Answer 3

As a teenager (18) who works in a restaurant and has to address strangers politely every day, I am a sir/ma'am sayer. I mean, I guess it's just instinct; I don't know the customer's names, so I can't call them by that, and I would never in a million years say something like "hey, you" to a customer.

Someone called me ma'am the other day, though, and I was absolutely shocked, so I guess I can understand the dilemma.

Answer 4

Not really, just a form of adressing someone, whether their speaking to my age or otherwise and accept it as such. It's not a issue unless I choose to make it one. The way the world seems today, I could be treated worse let alone called worse.
I was raised using those terms as a sign of respect and honor for ones elders. The older I get the more significant these things are to me because I believe that in honoring and respecting those around us, elder or not makes one honorable and respectable. Thus helping to turn the tide in areas where it's so easy to turn to hate. God bless them.

Answer 5

No, it's a sign of respect. It means you are an adult woman, not an old lady. Obviously you are not from the South, or a military brat!
It's when they call you a body part that you should be insulted.
Wait until your kids start trying out words on you [ they learn a lot of them at school ].
I would drive my son and his friends around, and listen to all the 'cuss words' they used as adjectives.
My response would be 'No f*****g in the car' or wherever else we were. After initial shock, they modified their language around me.
Second response ' That can't suck, they have no lips. '
We have very interesting conversations in the car.

Answer 6

It is a compliment when the younger generation shows you respect. There is not enough of that these days. It makes me feel good to know that a few people are still teaching their kids what is important. Some old fashioned values.

Answer 7

to address a person as "sir/ma'am" is a matter of respect. not only teenagers who do that, but even in offices, banks, restaurants, etc. they will use this word to call you in a polite form. every time i entered a bank, eventhough they are older than me, they will greet me "good morning ma'am, how can i help you?"
you have to be proud of yourself that they are respecting you in some ways.
what if these teenagers call you "hi s.lut" will you feel happy?

Answer 8

I am 33 and I love to see younger people with respect. I also call people sir or ma'am. It is just a form of respect.

Answer 9

I don't mind the respect. Yes it does make me feel old but then again to some I am. I also use it for older people then my self.

Answer 10

For me, it's the other way around. Haha. When I order something off the phone or when I talk to someone over the phone that doesn't know me, they call me sir and i'm only 14. lol. Like when i'm ordering pizza or something, they would call me sir. But it's cool when people talk to each other formally.