When did you go from Miss to Ma'am in the eyes of strangers?

[purplepenletter]

At what age did you stop getting called miss, girl, hen (for the scots) and started getting called lady, ma'am and so on? Yes I know people should be saying woman and Ms and that Miss and Mrs typically refer to your marital status but obviously most people don't use that language yet.

Hen. Not here either

I don't think I've been called ma'am either

When abroad I've been referred to as lady, which always jars a bit as we would use that very admonishingly

Yes, I have been called “Lady” by people like Greek or Turkish taxi drivers speaking English. I do sometimes wonder if I should tell them how it comes across, as it’s obviously been taught to them as a way to be polite, and they have no idea.

I agree @FreddoSwaggins. I grew up in the US and ma'am is what they would call anyone significantly older (and as you point out even ten years older is ancient in their eyes).
My son works in retail (here) and calls everyone sir or miss as a form of respect he used at school. He once asked if he should use ma'am for women of a certain age (ie, mine) and I said goodness no.

Digressing for a moment. When I moved to North Derbyshire (quite close to Sheffield) in the 80s children referred to men as 'Mesters'. I was a teacher so I heard this a lot as in 'Who's that Mester?' (probably the caretaker). It was just used in place of the word 'man' not as a form of address. I haven't heard that for a very long time but this thread reminded me of it.

I've been called madam a couple of times since my hair went grey. I'm in my 50s

I used to be called Ma'am all the time when I was an army officer...I kind of miss those days 😆

Now I'm a completely invisible 60 year old...can't even think what people call me (other than my name??) 🤷‍♀️

I used to occasionally deal with an office in New York for a big bank. The PA I spoke to always called me ma'am. 😀

I have too and my hair is blonde but I am a fair bit older than you so I guess I definitely look like a madam.😆

The only person who has ever called me ma'am is an American doctor at work.

😂