Don't Call Me Ma'am

Last night I went to Micheals to buy a new drawing pad. I'm going to get back to drawing, dammit, if it kills me. Spending the weekend at the Surtex Art Licensing Show made me depressed I'm not doing art full time, instead doing the business side of selecting other people's artwork. I mean, that's an awesome job too, and going to New York City for a few days to see art and make deals to use the stuff I like is pretty sweet, don't get me wrong. It's just that eventually I'd like to be on the other side of the table.

Anyhow, so I bought a new drawing pad, that is intended to inspire me to get back to creating some work in my spare time with the thought that eventually I'll have a collection of illustrations to license. Maybe I'll share some here, that is what the 'scribbles' are intended to be.

The young girl who cashed me out said, "Good night ma'am" as I thanked her and left. I hate being called Ma'am. I would say it makes me look over my shoulder for my mother, but that's exactly what my mother said when people would call her ma'am. She hated it too. I am thinking I inherited this particular pet peeve from her.

What I wonder is, does this young girl think that "ma'am" is the polite thing to say? It seems so old fashioned to use that word these days. It always catches me off guard, as I don't hear it often. Maybe her mother taught her to say it? Is it intended to be respectful? According to wikipedia, it is a sign of respect, often used in the military and it is short for "madam".

It feels downright horrible! And to be honest, I'd rather be called "madam". Or "beeotch". But that's just me.