Everyday sexism

Puts on best Margaret Rutherford voice -ladies there is a world of difference between madam and Madame! Madame is the perfectly respectable French appellation but may be used by some to denote the keeper of a certain type of free and easy establishment.
I reserve the right to be called madam as appropriate. Or Jane, hen, doll etc at other times.

In the USA it's normal for men to be addressed as 'sir'.
Women are called 'ma'am', which I rather like as it has regal connotations and avoids the brothel owner problem .
Don't get upset wheniwasyourage.
As jingl used to say, it's only an Internet forum.

I have noticed that most men seem to positively glow if and when addressed as 'sir'! The train conductor probably knew that most women don't feel the same way about 'madam' so played safe(ish) with 'dear'...

I also do not like to be called "madam" and I hate being called "love" I have said in the past that I am not their love, but only occasionally.

Maybe you could address the arrogant young man as sonny / little lad?

You wouldn't like it here either (rural France). The times I've answered the door to someone (male) and they say 'Is your husband in?'

judypark, your reply appeared after I sent my last one. What does my age (64) have to do with it? Most women seem to be able to tell the difference between a "dear" or "love" which is friendly and totally non-offensive, and one which is delivered with a sneer attached. The incident was in Glasgow, where "love" is not as much common friendly parlance as "hen", which can also be used in acceptable or unacceptable ways. Before you tell me that I should lighten up, perhaps you should read both my posts to see that I do not want to be called "madam". How old are you, may I ask?

tanith, you are quite right.

Oh dear, oh dear. What is the point of posting anything if people are going to reply without reading it? I thought I had made it clear that a) the young man was arrogant, therefore, wobblybits, not friendly, whereas the conductor was friendly; and b) that I didn't see the need for any form of address such as "sir or "madam".

petra, there is no need to be unpleasant about my user name, and you might like to know that I had a perfectly friendly chat with one of the arrogant one's colleagues, from whom I got the information I wanted as well as a friendly chat about other matters. I am not given to scowling at people.

I've been lurking a lot on GN recently and have noticed that many posters are being picked on for what they have not, in fact, said, and find it sad that things have degenerated since we all started so cheerfully at the beginning of GN.

As long as its friendly I don't care at all.

Wheniwasyourage, Don't know what age you are? This is common friendly parlance. Do you really need to be addressed as Madam? If someone addressed me as such, I would assume that they thought me in charge of a French brothel.
Lighten up.

Surely, as the op indicated, it depends on the tone of voice and the attitude?

How many times did some of us have that expression "When I was your age" thrown at us. I find a smile gets you a lot further than a scowl.

At my recent pre op assessment I was asked how I'd like to be addressed. Naturally I told them to call me madam! Can't see that happening though. I was impressed that they had asked. Finally settled on being called Jane10 of course.

Call me any name you like as long as you call me.

I agree with Ana, hate being called madam, anything is better than that. In fact, why do you have to be called anything at all, at least that would avoid offending anyone.

If it's friendly, I don't care what they call me, ducks, hen, mate, luv, darling, honey, chuck, son, o'l git. silly bugger etc.

I'd much rather be called 'love' than 'madam'!

You wouldn't like it around here. Everyone says love. I don't see the problem tbh.