Hatrack River Forum: What is

This is topic What is in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=053191

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

ma'am short for?

O'clock is short for "of the clock" as I remember, but I haven't a clue about "ma'am."

(Yes, I'm helping Nathan with his homework . . . [Wink]

Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :

Madam?

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

Beautiful! Thank you!

Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :

I've heard you northern folk actually consider the use of "ma'am" to be sarcastic, patronizing, or insulting, especially when a younger person like a student addresses a superior. Is this true?

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

It can be used sarcastically, but is needs not be sarcastic. I use it all the time, sincerely.

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

Not me.

Ma'am and Sir are titles of respect.

What I get, though, from many folks when I use that title is:

"Garr -- don't insult me -- I work for a living."

*shrug*

I just tell 'em that my momma would have wiped my face with the backside of her hand for anything less than the utmost respect for my elders.

I do try to say that without sarcasm . . . *grin*

Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :

My wife was mightily confused when I would say "yes ma'am" to her when we started dating. On reflection it probably wasn't helpful to use a term usually reserved for elders or interactions with strangers. [Big Grin]

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

quote:
I've heard you northern folk actually consider the use of "ma'am" to be sarcastic, patronizing, or insulting, especially when a younger person like a student addresses a superior. Is this true?

In the Great Lakes area, "ma'am" is used sarcastically about half the time.

Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

Not in Chicago.

Posted by Trent Destian (Member # 11653) on :

I like to play it safe and stick with "miss". Makes them feel young. Unless she's obviously in her upper ages, then "ma'am" it is.

Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :

Ya ha is too in chicago 'bout 60% of the time.

Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :

I try to be polite to the customers I deal with- and so I say sir and ma'am quite a bit. I've worked both in IL (about 1 hour south of Chicago) and in TN (about 30 minutes north of Nashville) and no one has ever gotten mad about me calling them ma'am.

Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :

I'm about 45 minutes north of chicago (In moderate traffic) Where I live there are very rich jewish people and they are all very snobbish (not saying jews are snobbish) if you use ma'am they take offense.

Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :

I use ma'am in the "unidentified elder woman" sense of it. Such as "Ma'am, you dropped your purse." and I've never had anyone take offense to that. I'd use miss for anyone young, and ma'am is very easy to use patronizingly or sarcastically in michigan, especially among friends(basically only use among them..) Sir is the same way, only for men.

Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :

Maybe I'm not paying attention, but I can't really recall anyone using it sarcastically.