How do I use the word ?
One of my American teachers told me that Americans seldom use the word " ma'am" except people from American south , it is mostly used by the British , is that true ?
BTW ,another American teacher told me we can call a stewardess "ma'am" ,I would like to know if people from American north would also call it like this ?
Thank you
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 18
1
Even in the service industries in Britain, nobody says 'ma'am'. Hotel staff and flight attendants may use 'sir' or 'madam', but not 'ma'am'.
Being called 'madam' makes me feel vaguely uncomfortable, as I'm aware that the waiter or receptionist is only using this term of address because he/she is required to as part of the job. Nobody says 'ma'am'. If anyone called me 'ma'am' in the UK, I would have to stifle a laugh, assuming that the person had been trained in either Alabama or Buckingham Palace.
I have never met the Queen or served in the military, so I have never said 'Ma'am' to anyone. Nor have I worked for a hotel, posh restaurant or airline, so I have never called anyone 'sir' or 'madam' in my whole life. The same would go for any other British person today. We really don't use these formal terms of address.
1
No. It isn't true at all. Your American teacher might know about American conventions, but they obviously don't have the slightest idea about British English.
The Queen is addressed as 'Ma'am' (rhyming with 'ham') in everyday situations, as an alternative to 'Your Majesty'. 'Ma'am' is used to address senior female officers in the British military.
Outside these two very specific contexts, 'ma'am' is NEVER used in Britain. Your teacher is completely wrong.
0
Ma'am is extremely formal. Only very upper class in Britain would use it, if you were talking to the Queen for instance. In every day speaking it would not be used. In the states certain parts may use it but again it is being very polite and formal. Even when used it is an unnecessary word in the sentence so you are fine to just forget about it altogether. For example "Excuse me Ma'am, can I take your coat" would work just as well and politely if it was "Excuse me, can I take your coat".
0
I am a native American and we use "ma'am" all the time.
You may have misunderstood your American teacher. Perhaps he said we don't use "madam", which we don't.
0
You would use "ma'am" (and "sir") if you were in a service industry, eg. hotels or restaurants. Yes, it is formal and sometimes it sounds old-fashioned.
In general, if you're not in a service industry, then you're very unlikely to use it.
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
