I've noticed something lately -- all of a sudden, I'm being called "Ma'am" instead of "Miss". It's not everywhere, but (teenage) cashiers when I check out at places like Target or CVS or whatever now say, "Ma'am". It's weird.
I used to teach at the US Naval Academy & it was the only place I ever felt old. Part of it was working with 17 and 18-year-olds, but the other part was I was always referred to as "Ma'am" -- "Yes, Ma'am", "Ma'am, I have a question", "Thank You, Ma'am", etc. I know that in that case, it was a military thing & they wouldn't have dared say anything else, lest an upper class student or officer overhear them, but it still was startling and a bit unsettling to hear it.
Now it seems like I'd better get used to it.
*Sigh*. I'm not ready for this!!
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2 comments:
I HATE IT when people call me Ma'am!! It makes me feel so hold! I have (on more than one occasion) asked someone to call me "miss" because "ma'am" is insulting :)
Keep up the good work.
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