How do y’all feel about “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am”?
July 10, 2025
Good afternoon! Like above says, how do y’all feel about “yes ma’am”&“no ma’am”. I’ve been raised in AL, so taught it’s not about age, but respect.
6 comments
Honestly? While I also use it (because respect) it personally makes me feel old as hell.
Totally fine, but I grew up in the southern US where it was considered perfectly normal politeness and as something everyone did to be respectful of others. It doesn’t bother me at all to hear or say as long as the circumstances are appropriate.
As I no longer live in the South, I don’t hear or use it as commonly as before, but it still seems polite and respectful to me, so I don’t care if someone else says it to me.
I don’t say it (midwest raised), but I don’t mind it at all
I’m in my mid 20s and still flinch a little when someone calls me ‘ma’am’… But I get it’s about respect, not age… even if it low-key feels like a jump scare
I moved from south FL where it wasn’t said to Louisiana where everyone calls me ma’am despite being young. I love it! It’s just polite.
I am from GA and say it in the drive thru, even though I’m no longer in the south and am likely a bit older than the person working behind the screen.
6 comments
Honestly? While I also use it (because respect) it personally makes me feel old as hell.
Totally fine, but I grew up in the southern US where it was considered perfectly normal politeness and as something everyone did to be respectful of others. It doesn’t bother me at all to hear or say as long as the circumstances are appropriate.
As I no longer live in the South, I don’t hear or use it as commonly as before, but it still seems polite and respectful to me, so I don’t care if someone else says it to me.
I don’t say it (midwest raised), but I don’t mind it at all
I’m in my mid 20s and still flinch a little when someone calls me ‘ma’am’… But I get it’s about respect, not age… even if it low-key feels like a jump scare
I moved from south FL where it wasn’t said to Louisiana where everyone calls me ma’am despite being young. I love it! It’s just polite.
I am from GA and say it in the drive thru, even though I’m no longer in the south and am likely a bit older than the person working behind the screen.
It just comes out and I don’t fight it 🤷♀️