At some point "yes" needs to be regulated.

[Thumpalumpacus]

On moving to SoCal, I had to retrain myself to not call women "ma'am" -- it seems that many out there get butthurt assuming it's an age reference. Where I'm from it's a simple courtesy doled out to all women regardless of age.

But butthurt customers don't spend money, so there you go.

I don't like it because where I am from its only used in mocking sarcasm. Calling a woman ma'am is usually only done disrespectfully. It makes me cringe so I try to get people I talk to on a regular basis not to call me that but mostly it still happens and I get over it.

I had been completely unaware of your feelings on this matter. You know I think the world of you and don't mean it in that sense, but I apologize for rubbing you the wrong way using it. I wish you'd simply said something!