Call me madam, perhaps.

A Philipina domestic friend refers to her employer as 'my lady' which sounds sweet. She calls her by her first name.

Looked at Storybook Dads website - very interesting, thanks, Dee.

Dee - Storybook Dads is an inspirational way to keep children in touch with parents who are inside.

Ooo, just remembered - when living in the Middle East, if out with hubby, we were 'Ma'amsir'. This was mainly used by the Phillipino staff there. Kind of ok-ish. It was meant with good intent and not patronisingly (re my previous post about the shop assistant).

Nelliemoser - LOL! A relative couldn't resist it when a close friend had an accident and asked him to call him an ambulance. He also rang 999.

Dee What a lovely idea that "Storybook dads" is.

Dee - what a wonderful thing you do! If I had time in my life I would join you (working full time+). Maybe other Gransnetters could consider reading Dee's post and volunteering?

Queenie53 - I was recently in the gift shop of a London gallery waiting to pay. There were three tills and two young women assistants, one serving the customer in front of me. As the sale was completed the second assistant, who was standing close to the other assistant, rather than near the other tills, excitedly launched straight into continuing a chat with her colleague. It included the words 'So he said "Is anyone serving here?"'
I was unable to resist interrupting (cheerfully) 'Is anyone serving HERE?!'
The chatting young women leapt to her till and, head down, fiddled with it. The other one, who had been looking slightly uncomfortable while her colleague chatted to her, served me. I thanked her and left. I hope a lesson was learnt!

In the 1950s and 60s I came to hate the formulaic 'Can I help you?' and grudging, condescending use of 'Madam' which some department stores and ladies' wear emporiums (emporia?) insisted their staff must use. I also have responded to 'dear' by calling them dear right back.

Like several other posters, I now don't really mind anything I'm called. I'll even accept 'Mom', and love being called 'Bab' (local term for small child!) both by market traders. I don't particularly like being referred to as 'the lady' by one assistant to another and sometimes bother to say (cheerfully) 'Yes, the lady would really like one of those.'

I do compliment assistants on nails and once commented positively on the unusual pattern of the very visible underwear worn by the young man serving me in a sports shop...

When in poundstretcherland99pstore or whatever it was I was called 'dearie' by the 12 year old on the till. Hackles raised and the child was getting a lesson in manners and respect as DD grabbed bags, my arm and propelled me from the shop. (Ok, the irony re the manners bit!). Anyway, the only other thing that winds me up (actually there's a few things, really!) is being called 'Ms' - don't get me started on that one....

MaryXYX yes, I think I would have a problem being called Sir In fact, I might not leave the house again!

LOL, I am called Madame all the time here ;)

I was at an outpatients appointment this afternoon.
After I checked Iwas told to take a seat. Then I was told I would be called shortly.

I thought I don't want to be called Shortly I am Nellimoser.

I am absolutely with you queenie53
(is it a name thing??) on not caring how I'm addressed so long as it's pleasant, friendly and polite. Being ignored altogether is my pet hate, it makes me wonder if greying hair makes me totally invisible! As long as it's within my power to avoid it I really don't want to be a stereotypical grumpy old woman. I see so many folk, old and young, being so rude and dismissive to others....after all would I want to be doing that job...probably not!

Madam would be nice, especially when one has white hair (there IS no respect for age, is there?!?!) but I positively detest when Glasgow (I live in Scotland) bus drivers, postmen, etc. call me "pal". I got so fed up with a rail employee once that I said to him "I'm not your pal and I could be your granny!" He just looked bewildered, poor man. On the other hand, I rather like another Glaswegian term, "hen". From both men and women. The women never say "pal".

I'd rather not be called Madam, but what really gets me is being addressed as hello or hi Christian Name on totally impersonal bills from BT, British Gas, etc. Having to provide my given name does not imply a blanket permission to use it.

I hate 'dear' but anything else is all right - especially 'gorgeous'! One of the delivery drivers always calls me that. I bet he says that to all the girls! Or at least all the susceptible older women

Oh dear, some of the comments on here are making me feel quite sorry for the shop assistants! Does it really matter how you are addressed as long as it it isn't rudely? After all, you are being addressed. The staff I do find rude are those who carry out a whole transaction wordlessly, assume that you have seen the total price on the till display so that they don't even need to tell you how much you owe, or else do so without a please or thank you. I would much rather be wished a nice day, even if it's insincere or called 'you guys' than not be spoken to or looked at! Even worse was the woman who tutted at me when I apologised as I had no small change! Also I am slightly irritated by those who are so busy chatting with each other they either keep you waiting or continue their conversation whilst they serve you. But call me love, dear, madam, darling, whatever, if it's friendly I won't mind!

Love,dear...can't stand it. I like Mrs ....for the respect. Tee hee
That's for young wipper snappers addressing me. Not perhaps my own generation so much

Do not mind what I am called- just note that I am there! On previous forum I commented on being invisible- what is the answer, short of lying on the floor,kicking legs and screaming!

I don't mind being called Madam or love but I really like being called "Ma'am" by all American shop assistants and waiters. I was asked on the phone by an energy company if they could call me Lesley and I said no call me Mrs ***. A few companies presume to do that, or even just call me by by first name without asking and I detest it.

I tend to get Ma'am from younger people and Dear or Love from older people. The latter seems to include bus drivers - male and female. It was a bit disconcerting when I went into Lush recently and an assistant I didn't recognise greeted me by name. It turned out we had met on a demo.

I really don't mind as long as they are polite and as long as they don't call me Sir!

I don't like dear or love "you guys" sets my teeth on edge. I asked the last teenage waiter who said that if I looked like a guy. He didn't know what to say
I like 'Madam' in restaurants but it seems a bit OTT in the corner shop !

I would rather not be called 'madam'. It is old-fashioned and has connotations of being in charge of a brothel.

I have no issue at all, just as long as it spoken kindly .

I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to make somebody feel uncomfortable if they use commonly used terms such as love, pet nor my first name. Each to his/her own .

I would probably walk away from someone who challenged how I spoke, that's when you get 'all sorts ' in your dinner or drink. .

It's always young guys who say 'mate' and it makes me laugh because you know they're just trying to do a good job with no proper training!

'My lovely' is so nice - hope someone calls me that one day!

Being called 'mate' just makes me laugh. I don't really mind what I am called as long as it's not rude...

Why should someone who doesn't know me have to show respect? I feel that has to be earnt. Politeness is enough. Where I live, I am frequently called 'My lovely', which I think is rather nice.