If you call men "sir" what do you call women?

Question

Hello,

i have recently came to canada and english is not my first language. I think i can say "sir" to men and "maam" to women, but I also think I heard somewhere that some women don't like to be called "maam".. what is the safe way to call women?

thanks

Answer 1

Call a woman Ms. (pronounced miz) followed by her last name until she tells you differently.  Miss and Mrs. are outdated forms that identify a woman based on her marital status.  Since we do not do this form men (we call them Mr regardless of age or marital status) it doesn't make sense to do it for women.

Answer 2

British usage:-

To a man: Sir or M'Lord

To a woman: Madam or My Ladyship

To a feminist: Your Supreme Highness

Business letters are usually addressed "Dear Sir or Madam"

http://www.celticsurf.net/phpBB3/viewfor...

Answer 3

It depends on the situation, if you are in a place were you are calling men sir, then it's only appropriate to address women as ma'am.

Answer 4

Senora, It sounds better when you call a woman in spanish.

Answer 5

Madam

Answer 6

some women don't mind ma'am.  but ms., miss or mrs are also acceptable.

Answer 7

They like to be called wimin or maaaam (long 'a').

Answer 8

I think if she looks young, like under 25, you can call her miss.  Maam is more for older women.  

If it is a stranger, never call them by their first name unless you are told to do so by them or are introduced to them by a third party.

Answer 9

i call them sir too...

especially the feminists...

ok im kidding...

Ma'am is ok to say. so is miss or ms.

Answer 10

just call them women

Answer 11

Ma'am is perfectly appropriate. some younger women might say "i'm not a ma'am, call me Suzie" or what ever, but that's just giving you permission to address them less formally.

Answer 12

i'm from canada..

call women ma'am/madame if they're older or by their last name (example :Mrs. Smith)...

younger women (30 and under) really prefer to be called their names and rarely 'miss'

Answer 13

Madam. Ma'am is a derivative.

Answer 14

Call her Ma'am or Ms. (pronounced Mizzzz); but don't

call her Lady.

I was told on good authority that folks only call someone

Lady when they felt she wasn't one.

Answer 15

her name