Don't Call Me Ma'am!

It's pretty dangerous for me to be younger than 30 years old, working with a young professionals group in a community abundant in baby boomers and traditionalists.  I have to be careful about my use of the "o" word.  You know, the word "old."  Of course age is a relative term.  What's old to one person is not old to another. 

I was at a networking event on Friday and I ran into someone I don't get to see very often.  We use to meet every week a couple years ago.  When she said, "hello."  I replied with, "there's my old friend Laura."  Immediately everyone at the table attacked me for calling her "old."  I was totally misunderstood. 

I immediately shared a story that happened with John the intern.  We were at a networking event with mostly 30-35 year olds in the room.  He said he felt like everyone in the room was really old.  I felt a little offended but then I understood what he meant.  Even with a 5 year gap in age, it can be hard to start a conversation.  What was he supposed to do?  Walk up to someone and ask what they think of the latest Will Farrell movie?

The ladies at my table enjoyed this story partly because it put me in the "old" category that they didn't see me in at first.  Then we got into the word "ma'am."  Boys, for those of you that don't know... don't ever call a woman "ma'am."  It makes many women feel older.  There's a point in our lives when we go from being called "miss" to being called "ma'am."  We want to be called "miss" for as long as possible.

What is the point of this whole blog?  Let's recap:

• If you're young, be careful how you use the "o" word.
• If you're really young, learn some basic conversation starters that are good with all generations.  Like, "Where do you work?" "How long have you been there?" "What's the best thing about your job?"
• If you call out to a woman whose name you don't know, use the word "miss" to get her attention.

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