US Senator Telling Brig. Gen. To call her Senator not Ma'am?

[Cetawin]

He was being respectfully and she was being a control snot. They are taught that as an officer and gentleman they should use the terms Ma'am and Sir. Bet he worked harder for his title than she did...she still had not earned it in my book.

Senator...Could be a man could be a woman or could be half and half for all we know.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Okay... how about this?

What if the Senator had been a General...

Then would it have been okay for the General to call her Ma'am?

(this is a fun thread!! Good stuff here)

 

[Opa]

I think they were both wrong. He for not calling her by her proper title. While he was being respectful he should know to call her senator. She was wrong for calling him on it.

 

[jjdward]

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Explain please.

In some places, CA being one of them, Ma'am is NOT a sign of respect, it's code for "old hag". While he may have meant it as a sign of respect, she informed him of her title, and he should use the form of address given. In much the same way you say "Mr. President" for both current and former presidents, it's a specific title for a specific job.

BTW: "young lady" is also considered disrespectful here, took me a few years to drill that into some "proper southern boys".

I can assure you that in most of the country Ma'am and Sir is NOT a sign of disrespect. And as a "Proper southern boy" I would prefer that you called me MISTER SIR.(JK) As far as the Old hag part, I just wont comment. Another thing we "proper southern boys" are taught is that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

 

[highcountrychickens]

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thats a good point

 

[Cetawin]

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Yes it would if they are equal rank absolutely.

 

[saddina]

I think they each have a difference referance point for what is "polite", however manners suggest you call someone thier perferred form of address. Hers is senator, and she has the right to expect to be called such.

 

[FrenchHen]

I'm pleased that y'all are keeping it civil.
I rather think it's cultural misunderstanding plus over sensitivity.

 

[jjdward]

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I so don't want to get this locked!

 

[PurpleChicken]

I quit paying attention to politicians right after I quit drinking.
Two bad habits out of the way...