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y'all are a Southern Gent, and calling me Miss Kim would be most appropriate.
True, but you'd be surprised at what some take for granted, others take as insults! I was always taught to address adult men and women with "Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Mam." But I still remember hearing a 'lady' telling my wife that she absolutely would never let her children address their teachers in such terms. Especially the women. "Mam, simply implies servanthood" I assume she meant that her children were the 'servants.'
actually, i spoke with a very knowledgeable and helpful lady on an insurance matter a few weeks ago. I was thanking her for her help and being able to answer every question so professionally. But I remembered using "Mam" many times. Since we had establish, at least a cordial business relationship and I found out she was in Philadelphia (we even talked about the weather for a bit!), I asked if she had felt any misgivings by my using "Mam" during our conversation. She politely told me not to worry, she'd always been taught the same and had also been in the military where that term is still used as a sign of respect and authority. But I still try to be as 'politically correct' as I can
stand to be, Mam!
