I hate it when customers call me ma'am

[IEatCustomers4Breakfast]

I get more bothered by customers using my actual name. I realize I'm wearing a name tag, but it's creepy to hear a stranger use your real name.

[guywithashovel]

When I was working in retail, the only titles I didn't care for were "son," "sport," "sweetie," etc. I know most of the people probably meant well, but my initial reflex was always to take them in a condescending tone.

One time, a woman came up to me and said, "Excuse me, sir?" Then, when I turned towards her, and she saw my face, she said, "Oh wait, you're not a sir."

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"What I meant was, you're not old enough to be a sir," she replied, a flushed expression on her face. "See, I don't like calling young people 'sir.' That's for older people."

Letting out a sigh that I hoped was inconspicuous, I said, "Well, what can I help you with?"

I didn't care for the insinuation that I wasn't old enough to be called 'Sir.' I was approximately twenty years of age. (I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I was somewhere in that neighborhood.) As far as I was concerned, I was working, in college, and by God, I was an adult.

Unfortunately, some people aren't quite ready to treat you as an adult when you're that age.

[Chattyaholic]

I waitressed for 12 years and I never minded being called ma'am.

We did have name tags and it was nice and much appreciated when people noticed enough to call me by my name, but ma'am was fine.

What I hated was when customers would call me honey, sweetie or dear. I wanted to tell them they were strangers to me so I was NOT their honey, sweetie or dear. But of course, if I wanted a tip, I could not do that. I just had to smile, grit my teeth and bear it. And, I never ever ever called my customers those names either. It was either ma'am/miss or sir.

[Becks]

I've been called Miss, Ma'am, both Madame and Madam, my first name (ick...kinda creeps me out) and...sir...

I don't know how to feel.

[Pagan]

Woman: "Ma'am? MA'AM??? Ma'am is short for Madam and I am CERTAINLY no Madam!"
Me:

So she was single and was mad that you were insinuating that she was married? Or implying she was a lady?

Sheesh, woman, it has more meanings than just that! Not to mention when that particular connotation is meant, it's usually "madam".

[Dasota]

To be honest, I have issues being called ma'am. My rule of thumb, is that unless I'm old enough to be your mother, I don't want to be called ma'am.

I don't mind Miss, or hey you. Depending on the costumers (we have a lot of regulars) I don't mind them calling me by by name.

I have gotten the Sir one as well. Boy was that one a riot.

[guywithashovel]

I have gotten the Sir one as well. Boy was that one a riot.

I used to get called "M'am" sometimes back when I was younger. That irritated me. But at the same time, I was only 18 (and looked young for my age) and I had longish hair. So I guess I didn't have much else to expect.

[ditchdj]

"And don't call me sir goddamnit! I work for a living!"

[Nurian]

"And don't call me sir goddamnit! I work for a living!"

GAH! You beat me to it!!

Actually, I used this line once going through chow. I had my tray and a good friend of my was doing KP. He said, "Thank you, Sir." I said that. The woman next to me said, "And are you implying I don't work, Private". I look and see gold bars on her lapels.

[Fox One]

Ooohh I hate being called ma'am. I want to be called miss!! And I look fairly young....some people don't think I'm old enough to have kids. So if I look so young, why are they calling me ma'am? I'm 'miss'!

Okay...some light e-sleuthing reveals you're...28 (I would've guessed 24-25)? You're right, that's certainly far from old. I'd consider you a grown woman in her prime, and sort of in a gray area for the "ma'am" title, which I myself apply to every unfamiliar female who I wouldn't consider a child like me (I'm only 22 after all). I dunno, everyone feels it's got different subtext. Some folks (like me) view it as a title of respect, while others view it to be an implication of old age.

I guess just look for the undertones...y'know, not what they say but how they say it. I'm sorry if you feel my mannerisms are offensive, though...