Ma’am
I hear that Ma’am is often used in the south of the US when speaking to women older than you,
on the other hand, it can sound offensive, or uncomfortable in other parts of the US. Is that the case?
Top answer
moguwai007 I hear that Ma’am is often used in the south of the US when speaking to women older than you, Actually, it is used with any woman of any age down south. Up north, we call younger women "Miss". moguwai007 on the other hand, it can sound offensive, or uncomfortable in other parts of the US.
- moguwai007 I hear that Ma’am is often used in the south of the US when speaking to women older than you, Actually, it is used with any woman of any age down south.
- Up north, we call younger women "Miss".
- moguwai007 on the other hand, it can sound offensive, or uncomfortable in other parts of the US.
- Is that the case?
- I have been all over, almost.
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moguwai007I hear that Ma’am is often used in the south of the US when speaking to women older than you,
Actually, it is used with any woman of any age down south. Up north, we call younger women "Miss".
moguwai007on the other hand, it can sound offensive, or uncomfortable in other parts of the US. Is that the case?
0I'm a native English speaker in the US and I avoid using terms like 'ma'am, sir (I personally find "sir" offensive when being addressed), miss, etc." Just speaking politely is enough, in my view.
0There are places on the East Coast, notably places in Virginia, where the respectful term of address for a woman is "Miss" followed by her first name. I learned this from a friend of mine who used to live here in California and moved to Richmond, Virginia.
Yes, Miss Lucy. No, Miss Susan. And so on.
When it comes to these formulas of politeness, it's a matter of fol
0
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