being called 'mum' in Sainsbury's

[joben]

AIBU to think it was a bit strange (and tactless) for the cashier on Sainsbury's to repeatedly address me as 'mum', e.g. did, you get everything you wanted, Mum? How many bags did you use Mum? Have you got a nectar card Mum? I didn't have any children with me, and the only suggestion that I might be a Mum, was the bag of chicken nuggets on the conveyor belt? Or is the stress of motherhood really that obvious from my appearance?!

Just reporting back from the Sainbury's in the OP

I did actually do a long slow walk past all the cashiers but I dont think your lady was there today.

The things I do for MN

Your dedication is quite awe-inspiring, I was there again today (forgot dog shampoo yesterday) and you're right, my lady wasn't there.

Gasp!

We could have been there at the same time! I was buying ultra, ultra, ultra sanitary towels and some deoderant.

The glamour!

You think that's bad, took our mutt into the pet shop yesterday and the till fairy addressed the dog and said "Is mum buying you a nice collar?". Numpty

I get called ma'am regularly at work and some pronounce it mum instead of mam....

et called ma'am regularly at work and some pronounce it mum instead of mam

Are you employed as Princess Anne? (if so you were a right miserable bugger when you opened a swimming pool near me)

But joking aside - are you in the Police/army?

Maybe she thought you were her mum

joben

That slightly odd (but very nice) woman in Homebase on Forest Road just called me Ma'am.

Do you think some sort of email has been sent round to cashiers in the NE of London?

She hasnt done it before although she has offered me sweets and commented on various items I have purchased.

ComposHat . I am in the military yes. Confused me once. DD was 5 weeks old and we were in an ambulance and the paramedic kept calling me mam, and I thought he meant ma'am and did not find it odd until I realised he wasn't in the military and he was in fact calling me Mum....it was not the moment to say I'm not your mother as he was helping DD!!

I seem to remember being rather confused when watching Juliet Bravo as a child (showing my age) and they all called her 'mum'