great idea!

I think if you told me your name I would likely remember it. I can only assume it is Anne.

@kgoodyear indeed it is, thankyuvurrymuch!

because you REALLY do not care. A doctor's appointment, the formula for the area of a circle, picking up your friend from the airport you will remember because they are important.

No I was using it generally

@kgoodyear generally doesn't bother me but everyone is different I guess.

I was wondering about location as well. I'm in MN and those aren't terms usually used here. However I have occasionally used them with someone I find especially helpful or entertaining. I do wonder if they are offended though and hope they knew I wasn't trying to be condescending.

I know in the south sir and ma'am are (or at least were) used frequently. I try to keep that in mind if someone has an accent. Otherwise my first thought it "do I look old enough to be a ma'am to you?" lol

@Marcie1974 I think some of it is location and some the age range...moving up from the South, I was surprised how many people were offended when even a female said "dear" or "hon"...I do catch myself even after 20 years...I try to look at intent...many who use the term with me are just being kind, not condescending...we are sometimes quicker to judge than we should be?

@thinktwice yes, age is also a factor as well. I am pretty casual and personable so unless it's someone deliberately being condescending then it pretty rarely bothers me. Although I still struggle with ma'am. At my job I often get phone calls and/or emails from police and they ALWAYS say ma'am not matter if they're in Georgia, New York, California or wherever. The only time I don't cringe is if they have a lovely southern drawl. If they do my imagination may wander just a bit to them wearing a tight uniform and having handcuffs......oops, nevermind!!!!!!!

@Marcie1974 oh Marcie! You naughty girl!!! ha ha that made me laugh...

I get a kick out of kids when they call me ma'am...damn it, I earned it! ha ha I call them young whipper snappers just to see the confused look on their face...

@thinktwice I figured I'd get a laugh out of you! lol

If I'm at a restaurant and want to get the waitresses attention I'll say "Miss" even if she's in her 70s simply because I hate being called ma'am so much! Not that I'm sensitive about aging. Nope, not me!

@Marcie1974 wtf. Marcie!!! You look fab, and you not even into middle age!!! Wait until you hit the age where they assume you want the senior meal and discount...pffttt...ha ha ha

@thinktwice thanks for the compliment! I actually got carded at a bar a few months ago...my cheeks hurt the next day from smiling so hard.

@Marcie1974 We have to appreciate the small wins, right!? ha ha I bet it was worth the pain...ha ha

No, no one has ever seem offended in any way. Of course i don't know what is in their minds as far as their micro expressions I have never seen any sign of discomfort. It is not unlike "Hi, did you find what you were looking for?" or "Hi, how are you today." In either case i answer their questions with, No, I'm looking for a good woman with a pickup truck", or after a long pause and a touch of my wrist I say my heart is beating so it is a good day." I always get a laugh.

@Marcie1974 I live in Oklahoma (where there are no atheist by the way) and it is very commonly done. I would NEVER use it with an associate or professionally. or for that matter withy a guy!!!! I believe these terms should never be used in the work place by either gender.

@kgoodyear I like that...humor is becoming in a person...so is self-deprecating when done genuinely with tongue in cheek!

@Marcie1974 @thinktwice This is very interesting because the atmosphere of this discussion is different then the first and yet the subject is quite the same. interesting.

@Marcie1974, @thinktwice Though I am from MN Oklahomans are some of the nicest people I've known. It is not uncommon for me to address a lady I know as Ms Susie or Ms Paiton. In turn, women usually don't use Mr but usually mothers of younger children have them show respect by calling me Mr. Keith.

@kgoodyear framing is different...and, I think when people step back and really listen to people, they start down some paths that maybe they never thought about...I do think if you don't dig your heels in on anything, you are more open to other ideas...I love that the kids call me Ms. Linda...