Guys: Are You Insulting A Woman When You Call Her Miss?

[LoveIsABattlefield36]

Is this a bad thing? What's normally your perception of this woman when you call her "miss"?

 

Thanks!

[LoneIsland]

There's probably nothing that does not insult a girl.

[Tayken]

If you are no longer in school...why would a grown man call a woman "miss"? I either refer to women as "darling", "pet", "sweetheart" and if they are older they get called "luv"

 

None of that Ma'am nonsense

 

In Australia...it's "Sheila"

[Diezel]

Would you rather be called Mrs?

[LoneIsland]

Would you rather be called Mrs?

 

Strewth, coming on a bit strong, mate.

[Tayken]

^ Perhaps Ms then?

[bubbaganoosh]

How about "hey you".

[LoveIsABattlefield36]

Would you rather be called Mrs?

 

Well, no and I'm not saying I have a personal issue with being called miss, but, I recently had a discussion with some women who felt otherwise and it got me thinking.

[LoveIsABattlefield36]

How about "hey you".

 

Actually, the one time a guy did address me like this, I found it kind of endearing. *shrugs* Only because I knew he liked me.

[ja123]

I, too, think it is endearing.

 

 

Especially for us older chicks!!!

[d0nnivain]

It does imply youth to me but it's certainly not insulting. In a professional environment, Ms (pronounced Miz) is more politically correct but Miss is not wrong if the lady in question is not wearing a wedding ring.

[Fondue]

I definitely am not insulting a woman when calling her Miss!

 

And I do it OFTEN.

 

I grew up working in customer service since I was 14 to about 22-- Before I got my degree/career and moved on.

 

I called everyone sir, miss/ma'am, etc.

 

So now I do so in my daily conversations. Very regularly. Friends/co-workers/people on the street/everyone. Hell, I often use Ms.herlastname when I am talking to my girlfriend. She finds it cute (or so she tells me). When we are talking about/with her friends, I also call them Ms.theirLastname (if I know it). It is polite.

 

I never had a man get upset at me for being called sir. Not a friend, not a colleague, not anyone. But I did have two few females who did. I never understood why. Especially considering they were ladies my own age. Even when I called them Ms.theirlastname.

[CaliGypsy]

Whatever polite term someone chooses to address me is fine .. I'm from the south so often use sir or m'am. Miss is totally fine with me.

 

I notice a new ( ?) trend of men using the term " boss " to address other men. Example; " Hey boss is there anything you need help with " I don't know where that came from.

[Tayken]

I notice a new ( ?) trend of men using the term " boss " to address other men.

 

Serious...men in general? It's NOT a new thing, and I can assure you that it's been around for at least the last two decades in Europe and around the world.

 

Funny enough, I have been referred to as such both in my many trips to the US over the years (35 states at my last count) and in Europe. It normally happen at places of business e.g. hospitality / retail / service

 

It's as patronizing as someone saying "my friend". I mean I don't know you from Adam, I can I be your bloody friend?

[StanMusial]

No.

 

I was at the gym and a girl headed to the locker room dropped her car keys and didn't know it. She was a good 30 feet ahead of me and by the time I stopped and picked up the keys she was further away. I didn't know her name. So I called out "Miss!" To get her attention. I didn't have time to really think about proper address as she was moments away from walking into the ladies locker room. I just didn't want her to lose her keys.

 

If she was older I probably would've said "ma'am".

 

Which can be offensive, apparently - I have heard women complain in a professional environment when a younger guy called them "ma'am". It makes them feel old I guess. I don't care if a younger girl calls me "sir". She better show that respeck LOL.

[Tayken]

No.

 

I was at the gym and a girl headed to the locker room dropped her car keys and didn't know it. She was a good 30 feet ahead of me and by the time I stopped and picked up the keys she was further away. I didn't know her name. So I called out "Miss!" To get her attention. I didn't have time to really think about proper address as she was moments away from walking into the ladies locker room. I just didn't want her to lose her keys.

 

If she was older I probably would've said "ma'am".

 

Which can be offensive, apparently - I have heard women complain in a professional environment when a younger guy called them "ma'am". It makes them feel old I guess. I don't care if a younger girl calls me "sir". She better show that respeck LOL.

 

Whatever happened to the generic "excuse me please"? That always works for me all the time. Nobody can accuse you of being a patronizing ********

[StanMusial]

Whatever happened to the generic "excuse me please"? That always works for me all the time. Nobody can accuse you of being a patronizing ********

 

I was calling out. It was a noisy gym. Were she at my elbow I may have said excuse me. I was trying to address her directly... calling out "miss" at least narrows it down to one gender that may be in earshot.

[Tayken]

I was calling out. It was a noisy gym. Were she at my elbow I may have said excuse me. I was trying to address her directly... calling out "miss" at least narrows it down to one gender that may be in earshot.

 

 

If she happens to be the only "miss" around...YES

[CaliGypsy]

Serious...men in general? It's NOT a new thing, and I can assure you that it's been around for at least the last two decades in Europe and around the world.

ervice

 

Yes, men. I've not heard a woman doing it. And not until recently had I heard men doing it. I do know that the men I hear using it , are saying it respectfully,with no intent to offend.

 

I didn't know it was equal to "my friend ". I suppose I might translate to man. This is why I stick to m'am or sir. No ambiguity, no guessing , always acceptable in my world.

[Mr Scorpio]

Yes, men. I've not heard a woman doing it. And not until recently had I heard men doing it. I do know that the men I hear using it , are saying it respectfully,with no intent to offend.

 

I didn't know it was equal to "my friend ". I suppose I might translate to man. This is why I stick to m'am or sir. No ambiguity, no guessing , always acceptable in my world.

 

I think it is more generic then that. Like something that a car dealer might say to a potential customer, or the modern equivalent of people in the 30's/40's calling everyone "Mac" or "kid".

 

But to the OP, no, I'm not insulting a woman when I call her miss. "Excuse me, miss?" is meant to be respectful. "Hey Toots! Hey! Yeah, you! The broad with the giant knockers!" is meant to be insulting.

[StanMusial]

Where I live it is fairly common for men and women to call a woman "Miss". Like "Miss Daisy".

 

"Hey Miss Susan, how is your new grandbaby?" It's a term of endearment more than anything. In my previous example it's just a way to address someone when you don't know them.

 

I try not to swear in mixed company or use blue humor or whatnot. Other than that I don't really keep up on politically correct terminology. I've never had any problems.

[GravityMan]

It ultimately depends on context and the person's tone, but in most cases, no I don't think calling a woman "miss" will make her feel insulted. However, it may make her feel a bit weird or uncomfortable if you address her like that in a situation where another title would be more appropriate (even if you two are strangers). Same goes for the word "ma'am" (and also "sir" for guys). I made the mistake years ago calling a young woman "ma'am" in an ill-advised context and it created a very awkward moment.

 

Knowing what titles to use and when to use them is part of basic social skills and being able to "read" people and situations. It also helps to be aware of cultural norms where you live and generational shifts.

[OwMyEyeball]

No.

 

If I find myself in a region where calling a woman "miss" is inappropriate I'll switch over to whatever is.

[Rock Chick]

You are obviously not from the south, or over thinking things. It's just a term, but hey isn't being called a Bitch a positive thing as much as not depending on the situation ? It all depends on who's speaking the word, not the word itself.

[jay1983]

No..........