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Osee Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary

Ma'am, may I help you?

Yesterday, when I was waiting for bus, I saw an old woman (looks like around 75) walking slowly and unstably across the ice-covered street to drop off a letter to the post on the other side of the street. So I came to her and said:"Ma'am, may I help you?" Do you think this is OK? Especially about the addressing? I should call her Ma'am or something else?
  

Top answer

I think it's lovely, and exactly what I would say in that situation (or feel happy to hear, if I'm lucky enough to live a while longer) but then I live in the American South, famous for its friendly helpfulness to strangers and use of "ma'am" and "sir" when addressing others.

— Delmobile

  • I think it's lovely, and exactly what I would say in that situation (or feel happy to hear, if I'm lucky enough to live a while longer) but then I live in the American South, famous for its friendly helpfulness to strangers and use of "ma'am" and "sir" when addressing others.
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4 Answers
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I think it's lovely, and exactly what I would say in that situation (or feel happy to hear, if I'm lucky enough to live a while longer) but then I live in the American South, famous for its friendly helpfulness to strangers and use of "ma'am" and "sir" when addressing others.
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It's a great way to be courteous and is appropriate for situations like the one you told. I feel that more people should do what you do.
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Yes, it's totally an appropriate way to address her. I have noticed that a lot of times people don't have respect like this for the elderly. I think you did great!
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I THINK IT WAS SO NICE FROM YOU FOR DOING SUCH GOOD SITUATION,AND YOU WERE SO COURETEOUS.AND ACTUALLY WE USE WORDS LIKE MAM,SIR HERE IN EGYPT.CAN I HELP YOU,MAM?..
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