To be annoyed with how he addressed me?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I am an expert in my field. Got a random linkedin message from a man who is specialising in my field, he wants to make connections with people like me, fair enough.

He addressed me as "Dear Dr/Mamma "

I've half a mind to message him back to point out that he's being unprofessional/crass/women can be described as other than holding a doctorate or being a parent.

AIBU to think "fuck off"?

Or, is this just a cultural difference between a surly Scottish woman and an enthusiastic USA male?

Just tried this and my phone autocorrected ma'am to mama and before I put the final M on madam it was suggesting Madagascar...

Surely must be a typo? Otherwise very weird!!

Bloody nice to be validated by vipers!

I'm glad I asked, it probably is a typo. Agree, though, what a poor impression he's given of himself.

Even if it's a mistake people should proofread when making contacts for work.
I don't think I would get too wound up though, it's unlikely to be on purpose and it's bloody linked in, get way too many contacts through that in the first place.
Professionally I often get incorrectly addressed correspondence (girls name similar to a blokes name and I work in construction... often get Mr male name ) - I tend to correct and only get annoyed if they repeatedly make the mistake or if they have actually met me

Typo vote from me.

I agree it's a typo. I would find it funny. The poor guy will be absolutely mortified when he realises. No harm in giving him a chance, haven't we all fucked up occasionally.

It's a typo. Probably meant Madam.

@Twizbe

I think it may be a typo. If he's in the US he might have meant Ma'ma.

In some areas (particularly the south) ma'ma is a very formal term of respect

It has to be this !

Ewwwwwww I just imagined someone in my field calling me Dr Daddy. Ewwwwwwwwww.

I’m curious why he wouldn’t just address you as Dr. (insert surname)

Why the need for anything else?

That would be a bit 🙄.

Being American, I’ve only seen in writing and through email correspondence:

Sir/Madam or Sir/Miss/Madam

Never seen Ma’am. I don’t think it would be considered professional in American business culture regardless of region.

You have to ask him, OP!
If he meant 'mamma' as written, then you can reply with the mumsnet classic line.... come on, all together..... did you mean to be so rude?

Unless I've got this wrong are people saying it's a typo as if he'd be addressing you as 'Ma'am Surname'? Some Americans use ma'am but never this way, you wouldn't say Ma'am Surname, and he knows you're Dr Surname.

It might be a typo for something but this isn't a simple cultural difference, this wouldn't be an acceptable or normal form of address in the US, ma'am isn't used like that.

Would one say "Dear Ma'am Smith" though? He added the surname.

Well you already know about their attention to detail.

@ quickkimchi

Cross post!

Who writes to ma'am Smith though? Surely it's Dr Smith or Ms Smith. Even in the American south they don't address people in letters as Ma'am Smith.

Tell him to 'hit the road daddio'.
Is this the 70's? WTF

As others have said, if the rest of his message is appropriate, polite and well written - then its most likely a typo/autocorrect and I wouldn't pay to much attention.

It's clearly a typo.

Do you mean Ma'am? That would never ever be written down or used verbally in a professional way.

sure, i get called Ma'am all the time when people don't know my name. In writing they tend to use my name or Madam, though

That is bizarre - mamma would never be an appropriate form of address, Including in the USA.

I would definitely point out how weird that is!

It's probably an autocorrection.
I'd ask politely if he had intended to address you that way.

I'd write to him back and tell him to be more careful with autocorrect in future as you found Dr/Mamma to be offensive.

I'd write to him back and tell him to be more careful with autocorrect in future as you found Dr/Mamma to be offensive.

@HollowTalk it’s a respectful term to use in America

@CodenameVillanelle

Who writes to ma'am Smith though? Surely it's Dr Smith or Ms Smith. Even in the American south they don't address people in letters as Ma'am Smith.

Someone for whom English - in particular British English - is not a first language ?