How to properly and respectfully address a lady in (American) English ? - Page 7

Ladyzekke · 09-13-2001, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John D Harris:

Quote:

Originally posted by ladyzekke:
LOL Mr. Harris! You say "Ma'am" AND "miss' AND the name of the person, you have covered your bases quite efficiently!

Yes Ma'am Miss Ladyzekke.

LOL! Exactly! Well you notice I call you "Mr. Harris" all nice and proper LOL! Don't really know why LOL, just the way I see you in my mind's eye I guess (and that is a compliment btw)

Hey.... Mr. Harris? Are you ever going to grace us with a photo on Stealthy's Site? I could be wrong, but don't think I have ever seen a pic of you there. A family photo would do you know, hint hint..nudge nudge..

------------------

John D Harris · 09-13-2001, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ladyzekke:
LOL! Exactly! Well you notice I call you "Mr. Harris" all nice and proper LOL! Don't really know why LOL, just the way I see you in my mind's eye I guess (and that is a compliment btw)

Hey.... Mr. Harris? Are you ever going to grace us with a photo on Stealthy's Site? I could be wrong, but don't think I have ever seen a pic of you there. A family photo would do you know, hint hint..nudge nudge..

Most camera lens have a tendency to crack

I think I'll let your mind's eye guess.

Yes, Ma'am I have noticed Miss ladyzekke

------------------

"the memories of a man in his old age,
are deeds of a man in his prime"

Sazerac · 09-13-2001, 10:49 PM

Oh, MAN!! ROTFLMAO!!! Thanks, everyone, for a thoroughly entertaining thread! I REALLY needed to read this.

R^3, if you were in the Deep South of the US, the title of respect for any woman, any age, is Miss _____________ with the first name appended. That's the way that southern children are (or used to be) taught to address a lady that they knew.

For example, "Howdy, Miss Melanie. Nice day for a stroll?"

or "So pleased to meet you, Miss Laurie."

In the generic case, the title Ma'am is used. "Beggin' your pardon, Ma'am, but you just dropped your handbag." (said with a slight bow as you hand it back to the lady in question.

or "Please excuse me, Ma'am," (for example, when passing someone in a crowded aisle in a grocery store).

The title Ma'am can be shortened to Miss when the female in question is younger. I'm not sure where the breaking point is. In the old days (19th century), any unmarried woman could be called "Miss." Once they married, or had passed marriageable age (spinster), they would be called "Ma'am".

Thoroughly confused? It's something that comes with the culture. Nowadays, I simply use "Miss" to refer to any lady, unless she is my superior, in which case I revert to "Ma'am", such as when I am talking to my boss.

Great thread!

Loved the humor in it!

------------------

Ramon de Ramon y Ramon · 09-14-2001, 07:07 AM

Thanks, Sazerac, that is a very informative post !

Apart from the new input it serves also as a very good summary of most of the things that had been said before.

Up to now I'd say I will go with "Ma'am" here on IW, except for when addressing the "plaintiff" in which case I'll just take your advice, Sazerac, and call her "Miss Reeka". It remains to be seen if she'll like that one better !

But I am still very interested in more input - especially from the "babes" of the board themselves.

------------------
So long !

R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks

Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

Melusine · 09-14-2001, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diogenes Of Pumpkintown:
"Yo, Babe" works pretty well.

j/k

Quote:

Originally posted by The_ Fur_Cough:
More beer wench.........please.

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Cheetah:
Down where I come from, 'Oi tart', is the most usual form of address. Failing that, 'yo, slapper' goes down a treat.

ROFLMAO!!! Oh my God how could I have missed this hilarious thread???

To answer your question, Ramon, I can live with most forms of address, though in Dutch, if someone calls me "mevrouw" it makes me feel ancient!

Personally I kinda like "Yo, babe!"

In Shakespeare's time, "wench" was perfectly acceptable actually.

------------------
Melusine, Sultry Elflet, High Queen of Fluffies, Archbabe of the OHF, LH and HADB

Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

[This message has been edited by Melusine (edited 09-14-2001).]

DragonMage · 09-14-2001, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Melusine:
ROFLMAO!!! Oh my God how could I have missed this hilarious thread???

To answer your question, Ramon, I can live with most forms of address, though in Dutch, if someone calls me "mevrouw" it makes me feel ancient!
Personally I kinda like "Yo, babe!"
In Shakespeare's time, "wench" was perfectly acceptable actually.

Well, since you missed it last night, you can take over fetching FC his beer!

Go to it, wench!

(It's nice to not be the only one anymore.)

------------------
"Allright! We'll call it a draw."

"I'm INVINCIBLE! ... You're a LOONEY!"

Dare to dream. Be bold enough to try.

The day we stop learning is the day we start dying!(c)

*Newly abducted - er, inducted - member of the HADB clan. Mage extraordinair.*

[This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 09-14-2001).]

Melusine · 09-14-2001, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DragonMage:

Well, since you missed it last night, you can take over fetching FC his beer! Go to it, wench! (It's nice to not be the only one anymore.)

LMAO!! Heh...just this once then, because you asked so nicely...

------------------
Melusine, Sultry Elflet, High Queen of Fluffies, Archbabe of the OHF, LH and HADB

Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

DragonMage · 09-14-2001, 07:31 AM

Love ya, Mel!

------------------
"Allright! We'll call it a draw."

"I'm INVINCIBLE! ... You're a LOONEY!"

Dare to dream. Be bold enough to try.

The day we stop learning is the day we start dying!(c)

*Newly abducted - er, inducted - member of the HADB clan. Mage extraordinair.*

Melusine · 09-14-2001, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DragonMage:
Love ya, Mel!

Heyyyyy, no problem, babe!

------------------
Melusine, Sultry Elflet, High Queen of Fluffies, Archbabe of the OHF, LH and HADB

Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

Ramon de Ramon y Ramon · 09-14-2001, 07:36 PM

I am just so touched by this display of sisterly love and affection...

------------------
So long !

R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks

Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

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09-13-2001, 10:49 PM	#63
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	Oh, MAN!! ROTFLMAO!!! Thanks, everyone, for a thoroughly entertaining thread! I REALLY needed to read this. R^3, if you were in the Deep South of the US, the title of respect for any woman, any age, is Miss _____________ with the first name appended. That's the way that southern children are (or used to be) taught to address a lady that they knew. For example, "Howdy, Miss Melanie. Nice day for a stroll?" or "So pleased to meet you, Miss Laurie." In the generic case, the title Ma'am is used. "Beggin' your pardon, Ma'am, but you just dropped your handbag." (said with a slight bow as you hand it back to the lady in question. or "Please excuse me, Ma'am," (for example, when passing someone in a crowded aisle in a grocery store). The title Ma'am can be shortened to Miss when the female in question is younger. I'm not sure where the breaking point is. In the old days (19th century), any unmarried woman could be called "Miss." Once they married, or had passed marriageable age (spinster), they would be called "Ma'am". Thoroughly confused? It's something that comes with the culture. Nowadays, I simply use "Miss" to refer to any lady, unless she is my superior, in which case I revert to "Ma'am", such as when I am talking to my boss. Great thread! Loved the humor in it! ------------------

09-14-2001, 07:07 AM	#64
Ramon de Ramon y Ramon Red Dragon Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Age: 52 Posts: 1,517	Thanks, Sazerac, that is a very informative post ! Apart from the new input it serves also as a very good summary of most of the things that had been said before. Up to now I'd say I will go with "Ma'am" here on IW, except for when addressing the "plaintiff" in which case I'll just take your advice, Sazerac, and call her "Miss Reeka". It remains to be seen if she'll like that one better ! But I am still very interested in more input - especially from the "babes" of the board themselves. ------------------ So long ! R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

09-14-2001, 07:31 AM	#68
DragonMage 20th Level Warrior Join Date: September 6, 2001 Location: The lighter side of life, a.k.a. Newnan, Georgia Age: 55 Posts: 2,767	Love ya, Mel! ------------------ "Allright! We'll call it a draw." "I'm INVINCIBLE! ... You're a LOONEY!" Dare to dream. Be bold enough to try. The day we stop learning is the day we start dying!(c) Newly abducted - er, inducted - member of the HADB clan. Mage extraordinair.

09-14-2001, 07:36 PM	#70
Ramon de Ramon y Ramon Red Dragon Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Age: 52 Posts: 1,517	I am just so touched by this display of sisterly love and affection... ------------------ So long ! R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

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