maleficent

One of my bestest buds lives in the cute state of Louisiana and her sweet little son is being brought up in the proper southern tradition of respecting his elders. Nothing wrong with that at all.. It's cute.. When I call, and he answers the phone, (he's 8) He knows my Yankee accent, and is very respectful with his Yes Ma'ams and No Ma'ams and Thank you ma'ams. (He even addresses me by Miss Maryellen. It's very sweet.

But... I honestly hate being called Ma'am. It makes me feel older than I already am. Ma'am is a contraction for Madame, or rather old married lady. I am not married, being a lady is often questionable, and while I am maybe older, I am not old. My mother is a Ma'am. I am not.

When I was a kid, my parents friends were all referred to by Mrs and Mr... whatever ... and rather than No, ma'am or no sir, we'd get smacked into the next galaxy, if no or yes or please wasn't followed by a thank you.

I've had this discussion with friends who also bristle at being called Sir.. .they will usually turn around and look for their fathers.

How do you feel about being called ma'am or sir? How were you raised to refer to your elders, and how are your own children being raised. Is ma'am and sir, just being polite?

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