[Vocabulary] madam or ma'am

[kite]

Dear teachers,
I have a problem with using Madam and ma'am.

Is it okay to use ma'am to all women(specially American)?

But in Asia, we use madam for all women and there is no case with that. I think the term Madam is not used in AmE because I remeber one American lady had told me that about thar case but I am still stuck on that.

Could you please clarify that?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

In BrE, 'madam' is used by some sales assistants and wait staff in restaurants,

'Ma'am' is used to female superiors in the armed services and the police service, to the Queen and in a few other situations.

Most speakers of BrE, however, rarely use either word.

 

[kite]

Thank you so much 5jj. May I know what the another word is used more commonly in UK if either is not used often?

I look forward to hearing from AmE natives speakers since I feel the term could be different in AmE.

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

We generally don't use any particular word when addressing men or women. We just talk to them.

 

[kite]

Thanks I got it. It is really strange to our culture and special as well.

But I would be glad to hear from Americans.

 

[SoothingDave]

Use "ma'am" to politely address a woman. You can use "miss" for a girl or young lady (if you called a 20-something female a "ma'am" they would probably feel that you thought they were "old").

"Madam" is usually only used to refer to the woman who runs a brothel or other prostitution ring. So, it's not usually used to refer to ladies.

 

[Winwin2011]

Use "ma'am" to politely address a woman. You can use "miss" for a girl or young lady (if you called a 20-something female a "ma'am" they would probably feel that you thought they were "old").

"Madam" is usually only used to refer to the woman who runs a brothel or other prostitution ring. So, it's not usually used to refer to ladies.

In Hong kong we use 'Madam' to address policewomen.

Not a teacher

 

[Tdol]

Most speakers of BrE, however, rarely use either word.

I do use sir and madam when, for instance, trying to attract a stranger's attention, but most don't.

 

[Rover_KE]

Most speakers of BrE, however, rarely use either word.

That is true, but I use sir, ma'am and miss a lot, having spent a lot of time in the USA and believing that these simple words of courtesy are among the best features of American social interaction and I'd like to hear them more often in the UK.

 

[emsr2d2]

That is true, but I use sir, ma'am and miss a lot, having spent a lot of time in the USA and believing that these simple words of courtesy are among the best features of American social interaction and I'd like to hear them more often in the UK.

It would make me feel as if I were in an episode of Downton Abbey! Or that I'd joined the military (that doesn't apply to "Miss").

 

[5jj]

Strictly personal opinion

Being quite old, and old-fashioned, I am happy to address people, and be addressed, as monsieur, señor, pane, etc., when I am in places where this mode of address is the norm. However, when I am in the UK, I never use the word 'sir' when I am speaking to anybody. I feel vaguely uncomfortable if people address me as 'sir'.