No, I am with you all the way. It started not long ago, it used to be that only nice old ladies who are at least over 50 would be called "Madam" as a polite gesture. Everyone would have laughed or think out of mind or at any rate, not so cool if someone calls a young person "Madam" or "Sir". (especially a guy to a girl)
Anybody here who says they like being called "Madam", they are obviously lying or has twisted mind. If it is only a polite gesture, nothing more, the person would not be angry if I ask the waiter/ waitress "not to call me Madam."
I HATE to be called Madam, because it sounds so mature and it makes me feel like an old woman, and as if all my young days are gone, so I try to be friendly with the shop staff if they look like a young person from 20 and under 50. I can't do that with a man over 50 because then the old man would want to flirt with me and I would feel sick.
Normally I would start the conversation like, "Hi, Girl" and then the shop person do not call me "Madam" and we chat like good friends. But it happened to me in the Jimmy's World Grill Bar recently, when the young waiter said, "Where would like to seat, Ma'am?" I said with a smile, "Can I not be called Madam, if it is OK?" and then the waiter became so angry, he told something about me to the other waitress and then the both of them were looking at me with very angry expression on their face. I was very surprised and asked them, "What's wrong?" and they said "Nothing."
Well, then the same waiter came to me while I was eating, "So how is the food, Madam?" I was so angry and I was sick of being called Madam so many times, I said, "Oh, Thank you, Sir! It is very good, SIIIIIIIIR!!!!!!!!!" and he ran away like a kid.
I sent a complaint email, and I got even more unpleasant letter, starting with "Ms.*" and it was written that every lady should be called Madam. And I thought, "That's ridiculous! Even a little 5-yr-old child?"
I think that it started when 20-21 yr-olds boasted about their age, I sometimes feel the urge to call people "Madam" or "Sir" when someone younger than me boast about their youth in front of me.
But, I do not understand why anyone should be so angry about the person who thinks that you are just as young as herself, does not matter if you or the other person is a little younger or older, (and you don't even know my age! you are guessing it) and try to be only friendly. I just could not understand and the whole experience makes me feel so sad.
There is a definitely spiteful reason behind calling young people "Ms.*" or "Madam" or "Ma'am" or "Sir" or "Lady". It is just spite. Nothing more. Don't lie. Be nice. Use appropriate words like, "Girl" or "Young lady" or "Miss" or "Boy" or at least "Young man". PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!