Young Writers Society

In terms of usage, I hardly ever have the need to use "ma'am" I do, however, use "sir" rather frequently. In school I was taught to use "sir" and "miss" and I can't help but use them now, as I get older.

With friends parents it's always Missus, or Mister. I think it's all a matter of what I perceive as respectful.

I also happen to adore the term "ma'am" and on those occasions I do use it, I take a small joy in how lovely I think it sounds.

So, I think if you want to show a level of respect to an individual, Sir or Ma'am can be used. Other then that I think it obviously depends on how you've grown up and how oyu feel about it - personally.


*Hearts* Le Penguin.

I use it with adults I don't know - as in Sumi-chan's example of "sir, you dropped your wallet" - and I also used it in Moo Gong Do (a martial art I did for about nine years) with everyone, regardless of their rank (one of the rules is to respect all members, junior or senior, and I think it was a manifestation of that).