whats the politically correct term for...

[TKDLady]

I have done Taekwondo for 10 years now. It is unacceptable for a colored belt or any other belt to not call a black belt Ma'am or Sir. We are referred to as Ms. Mello, Mr. Palmer or Ma'am and Sir. I have gotten so used to it that it doesn't bother me. I like the respect part because so many kids do not have manners and this gives them a little direction in that respect. Also, living in the South, you kind of expect it from the gentlemen that are still out there.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by Luba

I'll hijack this thread innocently by asking the women...how DO you feel about being called "Ma'am"? I don't like it...it bugs me for some reason! Yesterday a young lady at A&W called me "Miss" I darn near reached over the counter and gave her a big hug....but I took my load of French Fries and Papa Burger instead. ...don't want to scare the poor girl into calling me "Ma'am"

would you rather be referred to as dumb@ss?

[darkangelism]

i use ma'am and sir. i dont see a problem with it.

[Merika]

I expect ma'am. I find it disrespectful when kids DON'T say it. I still jump on the kids if they forget to say it to my parents or another grownup talking to them. I do realize this is done more in the south and midwest than in other parts of the country.

Some people think it's foolish but it actually teaches a respect that we are sorely missing since we've dropped this habit as a society.

[Luba]

I just realized why the word "ma'am" bothers me so; there is a Russian word "mamla" that means a person is a wimpish, scaredy-cat type of person! Now that I had that "aha" moment, maybe it won't bother me as much!

And yes, Duke, being called a "dumba$$" by you isn't so bad considering some of the other things you've called me!

[Merika]

Could be the way it's pronounced up there. Ours is like a 'maaaaam' all short a sounds. I doubt it ends up sounding like any cool Russian words. It sounds more like a calf when it calls for it's mother.

[Star]

Originally Posted by darkangelism

i use ma'am and sir. i dont see a problem with it.

DA darlin'. just a kind word of advice from a...uhum...mature woman. we DON'T like to be called ma'am. LOL!!

the first time i was called ma'am, i was in my mid 30's and it was from a clerk at the corner store. i said excuse me? do i look like a ma'am to you? i couldn't believe it!!

that word ma'am makes women feel old. as a matter of fact, we were taught NOT to use that word in customer service. it really is an insult.

as for what the black people are called in canada? i don't know? they're simply called people as far as i know.

i don't understand why the americans call them african americans because they come from all over the globe, not just africa.

people are people as far as i'm concerned. i hate labelling.

[Ayla]

I say yes sir and yes mam to everyone no matter how old.

[Star]

sir is okay to use but ma'am isn't. not where i live. women think it's rude and an insult.

funny isn't it? how differnt parts of the world are accepting of some things while others aren't.

isntead of ma'am, we use miss, mrs. or ms. if we don't know the person, then we use miss. women like that one no matter how old they are.

[Merika]

Originally Posted by Ayla

I say yes sir and yes mam to everyone no matter how old.

I do too!!!! Especially if it's a BOSS or a supervisor or someone on the phone, working in a store, waiting on my table, working on my car, etc.

Guess I've offended a whole bunch of Canadian ladies in my time.....

[darkangelism]

i think ma'am is more of a southern/western thing, its not seen as weird here, maybe in he north and in canada.

[TKDLady]

I don't have a problem being called ma'am. And I like guys to open doors for me too!

[Fayebelle]

In the US there are benefits to being part of a minority group. That is why we still feel the need to classify people. Minorities work for a respectful title to be referred to but they do not want the respect of being considered equal because then they would lose the benefits of being a minority. JMHO

If there are no such programs in other countries than there is probably less need to classify citizens.

[Weiser]

oh oh oh, i got it now, a coloured canadian!


Seriouly though, if you're white your white, if you're black you're black, if your asian you're asian end of story.