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Yes Ma'am!
September 24, 2007

In Lisa's "Editor's Notes" from the July Issue of Kids Today she states that one should not "call a customer ma'am."  Well, in most parts of the country that may be the case but not in the deep south.  Yes, Atlanta is more hip and urban than most cities in north Georgia but one fact remains... if you are speaking to a woman, you refer to her as ma'am.  In Georgia, all adults are referred to as "ma'am" or "sir" even when on a familiar terms.  

As I'm here writing my blog, I just heard a sales representative in the next office tell one of her manufacturers on the phone, "Thank you, ma'am!"  That's just the way it is.  My mother instilled in me, at an early age, to refer to everyone with a proper title.  I, in turn, have done the same with my daughter.  In fact, when my 12 month old niece does something inappropriate we say, "No, ma'am!"

When my father was growing up (also a Georgia native), he and his family moved to Boston for a short time while my Pop-Pop (born and raised in Mississippi) attended Harvard.  My dad actually got in trouble in class for referring repeatedly to his teacher as "ma'am".  My dad was expected to say, "Yes, Mrs. Such-and-such".  All of the children made fun of his accent and his propensity to use the term "ma'am".  I'm assuming that the same would happen to my daughter if we were to move elsewhere.  

My question to you, the reader, is what do you say to your customers?  If someone asks, "Do you carry highchair pads?"  I say, "Yes, ma'am.  They're right over here."  Do you just eliminate the word ma'am?  I would be offended if I went into a local shop and they didn't refer to me as ma'am.  

Lisa says that when you call a customer "ma'am", "it makes her feel middle aged."  Again, I suppose in some regions this is true.  In the deep south, though, it is not at all offensive.  I am 28 and have come to expect the term "ma'am".  In fact, the only thing that does make me feel middle aged is when I look in the middle and see a shiny gray hair hiding amongst the wheat colored ones.  

For the record, I'm not some charming, sweet southern belle, either.  I've had people ask me over the phone if I was a Georgia native because I don't have a "southern drawl".  I'm not a southern traditionalist.  I just happen to possess manners.  :)

Posted by Kelly Nelson on September 24, 2007 | Comments (0)