Quote Originally Posted by Crankin View Post
I guess to me, the use of ma'am connotes the attitude that Oak speaks of. And yes, it represents a whole lot of culturally loaded regional/political things that I don't like. When I moved to Miami as a teen and some of my friends started calling my mother ma'am, she had the same reaction. I do not see it as a sign of respect. It seems like a "false" respect.
I have no problem being called "Mrs...." in a work situation, because for 30 years that's how I was addressed as a teacher. But, I couldn't stand being called "Mrs..." by my kid's friends. In my social circle in AZ all of the kids called parents by first names. When we moved here, it was different. Although, once I told the kids I wanted to be called by my first name, they did. And in the end, all of the families we became friends with felt the same way.
If I catch my kids calling anyone younger than 20 (or on their own, living as an adult, paying their own way) anything but Ms. so and so, or if they are friends, Miss Jane or whatever (for some reason the rule doesn't apply to men? They are Mr. Lastname or just firstname....go figure) they better start running because my hand will BLISTER their backsides. They address all adults as "Yes, Sir, or "No, Ma'am" in a deferential, obedient, polite tone. They are 15 and 11, and I have never gotten anything but compliments on their behavior in public (at home we have the usual issues, but they know there is no pushing anything in public). Ma'am or Sir gives them something polite to use when they are not sure what else to use. Me too....and saying, "Excuse me, Ma'am" or whatever is better than "Hey you!"

Manners have so gone by the wayside....part of the reason (on topic) we get our butts run off the road! People have forgotten how to be patient and polite!