The Politics of Polite

[CoffeeDrinker]

^That's the it should be, however where Im from (Rochester, NY) the vast majority of the people I see are just so willing to connect more on how much they hate where they are, and why couldn't their families have picked a better spot to live life in, than anything else. I feel like Rochester is the dreary gloomy British part of The US more so than most places except probaby Syracuse and Albany NY as well.

And BahhHumbug on all of you who won't admit to looking up that word

 

[Jabberwocky]

^Almost all English speaking Catholics know the word genuflection. Probably nearly every English speaker from a liturgical Christian denomination. When people use that word and you are bugged by it, you can just call the dirty papist or mackerel snappers.

 

[ChemicalSmiles]

in the south you call your friends Mom Miss Jenny or Miss Connie or Miss Betsi...w/e

doesn't really matter the age... the only time I wouldn't call a woman Miss and then there first name was unless they are like 30 or younger .... or if they were in young thirties and a personal friend... but I only have 1 friend over 35... I use to but they moved and 1 passed away

 

[Kenickie]

in my experiences of high end hospitality jobs, I noticed that "miss" is much more preferred for women. the older ladies whom would obviously be titled "ma'am" get a huge kick out of being called "miss." they don't find it disrespectful, only usually highly flattering

+1

but it all depends on context and situation. In New Orleans I was called "Baby" or "Baby Girl" all the time, and in a respectful way much like Miss.

 

[clb6]

I moved from Texas to the Northwest when I was 12 and once got in trouble for calling my teacher ma'am. She thought I was mocking her but that was normal in Texas.