My Motorist Exchange...

[MomOnBike]

Than you, Mr Silver, for at least trying to educate the car-bound.

And the reason most of us don't like to be called Ma'am is that we are sure we are still Gidget. I know I'm not old enough to be Ma'am-ed. Really. (Ignore that calendar over there.)

[Tuckervill]

Ma'am is a Southern gentility that will never go out of style. It's a whole heckuva lot more respectful than some of the OTHER words I hear women called. I'll take it.

Karen

[SouthernBelle]

Ma'am is a Southern gentility that will never go out of style. It's a whole heckuva lot more respectful than some of the OTHER words I hear women called. I'll take it.

Karen

Agreed. I fully expect to be ma'amed

[Eden]

Agreed. I fully expect to be ma'amed

It's a definitely a southern/northern difference. I grew up in the north east (Pittsburgh specifically) and I still do cringe at being ma'amed.... only *old* ladies are ma'am....

When I was in college during the summer we had a bunch of military guys in for special photography classes. I worked in facilities checking out equipment and darkrooms. It was too weird having all these guys who were likely at least my age and probably a few years older ma'aming me all of the time. I never tried to stop them - I knew it was what was expected of them - technically I was the authority there, but it was still weird and made me feel like an old lady at the age of 19....

[Loraura]

I've never had a conversation with a motorist in the wrong that went well, so I just don't do it.

If I can get a plate number, I'll report it (and my report will likely do nothing), but I'm just not in the business of dealing with strangers like that. It just raises my heart rate and ruins my ride.

I hate idiot drivers. But I hate even more being all worked up over actually trying to talk to one.

[TrekTheKaty]

I prefer Ma'am to Mrs. I always look around for somebody's mom when I'm called Mrs. And what does my marital status have to do with anything? Just call me ma'am.

I work in a customer service industry that still uses sir and ma'am--but it does make some people chuckle.

[Flybye]

SWEET!!

[Jiffer]

Good job. Next time you might want to "suggest" the driver to read their DMV manual about cyclist's road rights. Maybe tell them what page to look up (since you're all into memorizing numbers and stuff!)

[HoosierGiant]

Good job. Next time you might want to "suggest" the driver to read their DMV manual about cyclist's road rights. Maybe tell them what page to look up (since you're all into memorizing numbers and stuff!)

I'm all for that... except for the fact that the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual only has this to say about cyclist's road rights (underline added):

Bicycle Safety
Drivers must routinely share the roadway with bicycles. Bicycles are entitled to the same right of way and are required to observe the same traffic laws as operators of automobiles. However, with a large percentage of bicyclists being children, a driver cannot assume a child will adhere to the laws. The safe and wise driver of fourwheeled vehicles will adjust for this and allow more room for the bicyclist. Be aware that poor nighttime visibility presents special problems to drivers of four-wheeled vehicles where, in some cases, bicyclists will not have proper reflectors or lights.

Bicycle Safety TipsBiking is fun and a great way to stay in shape. However, biking can become very dangerous on roadways, so stay safe by following these tips.
• Always Wear a Helmet: Bike helmets come in different shapes and sizes. When you shop for a helmet, be sure to look for:
o A CPSC sticker, which indicates the helmet meets safety standards.
o Proper fit. The helmet should sit level on your head and touch it all around.
o A bright color to make you more visible to motorists.
• Follow Traffic Rules: Cyclists are required to follow the same traffic rules as
automobiles when traveling on a roadway:
o Obey all stop signs, traffic signals and other laws of driving.
o Ride on the right side of the road, the same direction as traffic.
o Use hand signals to indicate turns and slowing down.
• Be Visible: It is crucial that motorists and other cyclists can see you while riding. Always make sure you are properly visible:
o Wear bright colored clothing and helmet.
o At night, use a headlight; put reflectors on your pedals and wheels, and wear reflective clothing or tape.
o Ride in the right third of the right travel lane so motorists will see you.
• Ride Defensively: Sharing the road with cars means you need to be alert and
ride defensively:
o Always check for oncoming traffic before entering an intersection or merging
onto a road.
o Look behind you before changing lanes.
o Remember that pedestrians have the right of way.
o Beware of motorists turning left; many may misjudge your speed and turn
too soon.
o Be cautious of cars passing on the right of a vehicle turning left.
Following these safety tips may help you prevent crashes or reduce your risk of injury in case of an accident. For more information about bicycle safety, check the National Bicycle Safety Network Web site at www.cdc.gov/ncipc.

Bicycle Facts
• In Indiana, the majority of bicycle accidents occurs during the five spring
and summer months of May – September.
• Nationwide a bicyclist is killed in a traffic accident every 10 hours.

One tiny reference to cyclists having the same right of way; the rest a lecture on what cyclists need to do to ensure their own safety. I understand that bicycles are considered vehicles and need to be included in the manual, but the whole thing seems rather lopsided to me.

[crazycanuck]

I will never ever call any female " Ma'am" again. I worked for a bank & said yes "ma'am" & the woman took a hissy fit/freaked out at me.. I was in tears not realizing what i'd said. Good thing I was about to leave the company to move to Australia!

[Mr. Bloom]

I was in tears not realizing what i'd said. Good thing I was about to leave the company to move to Australia!

That's very unfortunate

Every bit of verbal communication has two components:

• the intent of the speaker
• the interpretation of the hearer

The intent is firm...the interpretation is discretionary. In context, she should have given you the benefit of the doubt...and only proved herself to be a bit myopic by not doing so.

[kenyonchris]

I will never ever call any female " Ma'am" again. I worked for a bank & said yes "ma'am" & the woman took a hissy fit/freaked out at me.. I was in tears not realizing what i'd said. Good thing I was about to leave the company to move to Australia!

Wow! I would have apologized for unintentionally offending, but if her hissy fit continued, possibly bopped her upside the head with her pocket calculator.
I detained a 15 year old girl for stealing cell phones at the gym (she had them in her purse, pretty cut and dry). As I was talking to the little brat, she sat there and sullenly stared at me. She answered my questions with, "Yeah," and "Nah..." Finally I bent down, stuck my finger in her face and told her she might better change that to "yes, ma'am" and "no, Ma'am" .... down here in the south it is disrespectful to use anything less. She looked me square in the face and said, "I only use Ma'am to people I respect. I don't even say that to my mother." I told her she better start really quickly, or life was going to take a drastic turn for the worse. Or worst. This is an upper income, Juicy Couture wearing 15 year old girl.
Her mother, needless to say, was not shocked at her behavior.
I call people younger than me ma'am....and older as well. And sir. As in, "Sir, if you do not settle down, I am going to spray you!" and "No, Ma'am, I am not a fat biotch, but thank you."