Question, Ladies

I keep telling Dan to not call women ma'am, especially when he is as old or older then they are.
I remember the first time I heard it I was devastated, well annoyed anyway.
He says it's how he was raised and thinks it's polite. "Coot" :-D

What do you think?

 

As a Southern (Texan) semi-gentleman, I totally concur with the use of ma'am.
It is how I was raised. Of course, I'm 69 years old, so I go back a ways.
Most of the fellas I grew up with even use the term on teenage ladies.

 

My wife, SHEWHOMUSTBEOBEYED, prefers "Yes, Your Worship!"

 

I agree also. Just the other night I stopped to talk to a man a little younger than I and being from the south when ever I said something he would respond with the"Yes Ma'am" every time. Got to admit it can be a little annoying but on the other hand it is a lot nicer then "Yeah Right" or "What ever you say." As a matter of fact my father, being from N.C. in the hills, would knock my brothers up side their heads if he didn't hear them say "yes ma'am" to a woman.:-D I thought it was kinda funny when he did but, they didn't.LOL

 

Same here. Not quite as far back or as South (early 50's and Virginia) but it's simple politeness. Not PC but etiquette rules.

 

Hehe, I just put some Paul Simon on 'Al'.:-D

 

From a Southern Gentleman I prefer Darlin myself oh my I got the vapors




Tim I'll get you for that :mad twit huh.

 

UH OH Tim you better bring some flowers or chocolates....And Soon.roflmao

 

In both the US and British armies a female officer with a higher rank is addressed as ma'am so its a show of respect.

But I don't like any names of affection/respect especially if you don't know them personally,honey,Darling,Love is often used over here especially on markets but in the big supermarkets they are banned from using any of those terms as its deemed too personal and people can find it defamatory.

I don't like being called sir because I feel like a twerp, or gentleman for that matter,especially in the supermarket when I'm just tryna get a price check on butter,maybe if if I were in Harrods buying a ten grand suit.

 

OUCH for you brothers BT, have to say I don't object at times either, like if they're wearing a cowboy hat, chaps, tan and weathered.
Oh, I got the vapors again roflmao



Laura- Al rather, your a big help

 

Geezz Darlene you can't talk like that anymore as you are causing me to get the vapors and the drool"s as well.:droolroflmao

 

I'm old fashioned also, a well mannered man is an attraction. There's just something about that word or perhaps how it's used that I (and others) have found to be objectionable.
Maybe it's like when you hear a man say Mr is my father.

Well I'm not going to win my argument with you people, that's ok though, now I don't mind the word so much. Thanks

 

I think it is a sign of respect, myself.... I also think when someone says, "excuse me, Ma'am" it is a sign of how he was raised, and with respect too... Personally, I don't mind it at all.. I really don't mind it, as it sure beats some of the stuff I have heard! LOL And I would prefer "Ma'am" to them!LOL

 

I always call my customers sir and ma'am. Saves on having to memorize their names and it imparts a servant's disposition while I'm in another person's home.

 

Some companies even require the employees to "Sir" or "Ma'am" the customers.

 

Agreed that Ma'am is definitely a Southern term of politeness, and very proper. However, having spent a number of years working retail, I also know that "ma'am" often is used when the clerk really wants to say "b***h". LOL

 

Same in the military when speaking to a newly commissioned 2nd Lt. that is green as apples.

 

Well thank-you Ma'am for agreeing with us old timers:-D

 

I'm an old timer myself

 

Nah Darlene, I don't buy that!! You're still a 'youngster," Com'on admit it!! Excuse me a minute, I need to count my 'brownie points!!':-D How many can I put you down for:confused

 

I was brought up to respect women and especially if they are older than me (military brat)

If i did not know the name of the lady i would say ma'am purely as a mark of respect.
Here in Belgium they say mvrouw (mature woman)for an older lady and jvrouw (young woman)for a younger lady or girl who is not married.

I really enjoy the company of women as friends and think they deserve a little courtesy (it cost nothing)

 

My birthday is coming up Oct, 29 I'll be 65. I don't mind telling because I'm in pretty fair health. My big problem was my lungs and they're good for a while longer.

 

You Stubby and i are pretty close, we were brought up to show respect which seems sadly missing today.

I am glad you stayed off the cigarettes Darlene you probably gave yourself a few extra birthdays.http://bestsmileys.com/smoking/1.gif

I am still smoking :-o much to the annoyance of my surgeon who gives me a hard time once a month

 

I think if I were in your shoes Bill I would smoke too and not just tobacco

 

My Grandpa said 'Always be polite to women, whether they are ladies or not'.

 

Smart man,your Grandpa was.
Hats off to him.

 

Now that would be a difficult thing to do I'm sure. I have heard how some speak :-o

 

Not really.
Just like in the military, it's all in the emphasis you put on it.

 

A sentiment I totally agree with! :-D

 

I think that's sexist,seriously.Why would you treat a woman any more or any less polite than you would treat a man?

If I were floating on door in the middle of the Atlantic after being ship wrecked and only me or a woman could survive her gender wouldn't automatically entitle her to the door,we'd have to draw straws and whatever the outcome I'd just push her off:-D

 

What if it was a female like this?
Would be kind of difficult.:-D

 

Thanks for that. You just put me off my supper!uke rolleyes

 

First of all, If you will read my OP, I never mentioned men at all. Having said that, I've always tried to treat men you like gentlemen, whether they are or not.

I suppose giving up your seat on the bus to a lady would be out of the question then. What I don't understand is how treating a woman better than you treat yourself would be sexist?

 

If you want to play semantics it was implied or why bother saying women in the first place just say be polite to people?What if I said I always try to be polite to black people whether they are nice or not?By defining 'black people' I'm implying there's a difference which is racist,just as defining 'women' in how you treat people is sexist.

No what you don't understand are jokes,geez lighten up.

 

What I've noticed is men who go out of their way to be nice to women either want something from them or really don't like women very much,I don't mean you Greywood.

 

Sorry about that, Phantom.rolleyes

 

Oh, now Rikky, I think what you posted was very sexist:

I don't think that is fair, to say what you did.... Just because a man is nice to a lady, doesn't necessarily mean he wants something in return.... Geez is right... Why, my husband has said "Ma'am" to many ladies and also in the grocery store parking lot, helping them if he could, and always got a "Thank you, kind Sir" in return.... He sure wasn't after anything, just helped a handicapped lady with putting her groceries in her trunk, and taking the cart back up to the store.... What is wrong with being polite, anyway?

With what you said, do you think he was "looking for something" or "doesn't like women very much?" That really stuck in my craw... Just because a man is kind to a lady, does not mean he is after anything, but it does show a LOT of respect, and how he was brought up... Yes, I was there, and he will help any lady that needs help... Uh, except that one hrlow2 posted! rolleyes I think she can handle herself! :-D

 

And then some.

 

I'm always polite. I say Ma'am, I hold doors, I let them go first. It's not always returned. Sometimes they turn around and ask if they look old enough to be called that. I always have to bite back the response that no, they don't seem mature enough to be called that.

 

Now your just putting words in my mouth it was just something I noticed about certain men note the words 'go out of their way',I didn't say it was a rule that all nice men want something or don't like women,I didn't say there was anything wrong with being polite to people what I said was I think its sexist to be more polite to women than you do men,I never said there was anything wrong with saying ma'am and never said there was anything wrong with helping handicapped people whatever their gender:-D

I help ladies to if they are struggling too all the time I must be a qualified door holder by now but I do the same for men,I just don't put women on a fragile glass pedestal,I don't treat women like they are the weaker species who are helpless and constantly need a man's help,you guys are my equal.

That's just what he wanted you to think so he could marry you:-D

 

Now look what you started "Miss Darlene" :-D:-D:-D

 

@ Rikky, I didn't put words into your mouth, you did fine on your own...:-D

And, while I am on the subject, your comment here:

You are so off base! His parents taught him to be polite, and he showed me what a gentleman is... I am the lucky one here I snatched HIM up before someone else did.

 

Nope TeeCee I'm sorry to tell you this but its all an act your husband is looking for someone to have an affair with,I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Here you may aswell get started looking for another.

http://www.mailorderhusbands.net/order/

 

Well Rikky there are some choice specimens of manhood in that bunch.

 

Rikky, Rikky, Rikky, I sure would like to know where you get YOUR information from....:-D
I happen to know my husband a lot better than you:-D
His "lease" isn't up yet. He has 66 years left on it before he can even "look" ! roflmao roflmao

As far as the link goes, I'm not looking either Don't need it!:-D

 

..... I wonder why Rick is still single? roflmao
~ There were some mighty choice pickin's on that site. LOL