Regional Traditions

[shoney]

I really don't think it is insulting or rude, it's just not done. When speaking to a stranger you may say "Excuse me, Miss/Sir" but we don't address everyone like that.

agree.

Or it is used in a joking or sarcastic way.

Me: "DH please take the garbage out, get the mail, and walk the dog while you're out there"

DH: "yes, ma'am"

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Yes they do. Bless your heart. By the way, if you don't like it down here, please feel free to leave or not to visit.

Cute, but I'll keep visiting; I don't mind the South. It's the Southerners for whom I frequently don't care!

 

[sunshinehighway]

I got called ma'am here in Florida for the first time a few months ago. I live in a rural area, more country than Orlando. My first thought was 'Wow, I'm getting old.'

Yeah, its usually more about realizing you're at that point where you aren't a "Miss" anyone.

 

[mhsjax]

So where is my apology for saying I was first to insult when I clearly wasn't? My response to you has gone completely ignored.

I actually re read the post you quoted. Maybe she did insult on the last line about it being rude on the beach, So yeah sorry. Feel better now?

 

[JaneBanks]

I got called ma'am here in Florida for the first time a few months ago. I live in a rural area, more country than Orlando. My first thought was 'Wow, I'm getting old.'

Yeah, its usually more about realizing you're at that point where you aren't a "Miss" anyone.

Yes, that's why, not matter the age, I will always say Miss!

 

[Turn the Page]

I am really befuddled how someone would find the use of Ma'am and or Sir to be insulting and rude.
I'm not from the "North" persay, I'm from the West and while the use of Ma'am and Sir was not common place, I never found it insulting or rude.

I'm not sure either. I have seen women who are sensitive about their age sometimes be mildly offended by ma'am because it implies they are making the transfer from miss to ma'am but other than that I'm not sure. Perhaps people feel it's contrived and insincere?

 

[tajz90]

I am really befuddled how someone would find the use of Ma'am and or Sir to be insulting and rude.
I'm not from the "North" persay, I'm from the West and while the use of Ma'am and Sir was not common place, I never found it insulting or rude.

When we visited Washington state in 2011, I answered someone by saying "yes ma'am" and they immediately responded "don't call me ma'am". I was a bit shocked and put off.

 

[JaneBanks]

Keep waiting.

You're funny. You can't admit you were wrong and offer an apology? Yet you want to spread the southern manners and knock down northern manners? You're doing it wrong.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I got called ma'am here in Florida for the first time a few months ago. I live in a rural area, more country than Orlando. My first thought was 'Wow, I'm getting old.'

No worries, hun. I used to call my fifth graders "ma'am" and "sir". I address my two-year-old with a "yes ma'am" or a "no ma'am", as well. Now, I can't speak for the person who called you "ma'am", but most everyone I know will address anyone that way as a sign of respect.

 

[mamacatnv]

As well as this peach, which implies again that the rest of the country lacks this...

Not so at all, I implied no such thing. You chose to see it that way, that was your assumption not my implication. I said I love the manners - I did not say that I disliked manners in other parts of the country or that other parts of the country did not have manners. I never said that.
I said I love the manners here in Texas. Perhaps that relates to the use of Ma'am or Sir, its not common where I come from but its common here and I like it. Perhaps it is how people say hi, or wave when you let their car into the lane of traffic or whatever. Saying one likes something does not equate to disliking something done differently somewhere else. Gheesh

YOu do realize that mamacatnv who loves the southern TX manners, isn't from the south, don't you?

What does that have to do with the price of rice? You do realize there are people all over the place in their opinions, don't you? And stating that there are manners in Texas implies there are not manners elsewhere, regardless of where she came from?

Regardless, going back to the linear concept of time, who insulted whom, first?

Perhaps you need to stop trying to figure out what it is you think we are all implying.
Stating I like the manners means just that, I like the style. End of story, no hidden conspiracy or slam towards other areas of the country just a comment that I like the manners here, they are DIFFERENT from what I am used to and I like them.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Keep waiting.

Now that's just bad manners, ma'am!

Have you always hated being wrong and being called on it?

 

[deserrai]

I never understood this phrase. What does it mean to have breeding? Did you come with papers?

And here I thought I was trying to make a point that people up north aren't rude, just come across differently. My mistake.

 

[mhsjax]

You're funny. You can't admit you were wrong and offer an apology? Yet you want to spread the southern manners and knock down northern manners? You're doing it wrong.

Nope we are nice until people knock us down, then WATCH OUT. Can't belive you really asked for one. I would have gotten around to responding to you, but if you have to demand one, you aren't getting it.

 

[sunshinehighway]

You're funny. You can't admit you were wrong and offer an apology? Yet you want to spread the southern manners and knock down northern manners? You're doing it wrong.

I think this is when you are just supposed to say "Bless her heart".

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Could we please stop arguing and try to get back on topic?

 

[JaneBanks]

Nope we are nice until people knock us down, then WATCH OUT. Can't belive you really asked for one. I would have gotten around to responding to you, but if you have to demand one, you aren't getting it.

You were clearly ignoring my post since you posted multiple responses to other posters over a few pages.

I didn't need an apology, I knew I was right. I was trying to prove a point and you helped me tremendously, so thank you.

 

[Turn the Page]

No worries, hun. I used to call my fifth graders "ma'am" and "sir". I address my two-year-old with a "yes ma'am" or a "no ma'am", as well. Now, I can't speak for the person who called you "ma'am", but most everyone I know will address anyone that way as a sign of respect.

That may be another part of it. I think northerners tend to view sir/ma'am as a sign of respect and respect is something many up here feel you need to earn. In the south respect is assumed, you are just supposed to get it by virtue of breathing. I know it ruffles my feathers a bit when people automatically demand my respect when they have done absolutely nothing to earn it.

 

[mhsjax]

Not so at all, I implied no such thing. You chose to see it that way, that was your assumption not my implication. I said I love the manners - I did not say that I disliked manners in other parts of the country or that other parts of the country did not have manners. I never said that.
I said I love the manners here in Texas. Perhaps that relates to the use of Ma'am or Sir, its not common where I come from but its common here and I like it. Perhaps it is how people say hi, or wave when you let their car into the lane of traffic or whatever. Saying one likes something does not equate to disliking something done differently somewhere else. Gheesh



Perhaps you need to stop trying to figure out what it is you think we are all implying.
Stating I like the manners means just that, I like the style. End of story, no hidden conspiracy or slam towards other areas of the country just a comment that I like the manners here, they are DIFFERENT from what I am used to and I like them.

Thank you. For some reason, when someone who lives in the south, states a fact that they like, some people from up north take it as a slam against them. Can't figure that out.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

That may be another part of it. I think northerners tend to view sir/ma'am as a sign of respect and respect is something many up here feel you need to earn. In the south respect is assumed, you are just supposed to get it by virtue of breathing. I know it ruffles my feathers a bit when people automatically demand my respect when they have done absolutely nothing to earn it.

I was raised almost the exact opposite. We were taught to give respect until the person proves that they do not deserve it. I guess that the two different mindsets can get a little difficult when put in the same room.

 

[Turn the Page]

And here I thought I was trying to make a point that people up north aren't rude, just come across differently. My mistake.

I'm not trying to be insulting. I'm seriously asking what that phrase is supposed to mean and threw a little joke in there to try and lighten the mood.