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Somebody called me Ma’am today!

By Michelle Gordon

Real Estate Agent with JH Realty Partners 6501309180

March 07, 2008 10:21 PM

I was getting coffee at Star Bucks, after ordering the server answered my order with "yes ma'am! It did not really register the first time, because "he could not be talking to me!"

Then he did it a second time, yep, it was me he was talking to. WOW, I guess I have moved up in the world I am a ma'am now. Hmmmmmmmm, I am 47 years old with a 17 and a 25 year old. I guess I do qualify for the ma'am status, I just did not think of myself this way.

I was not offended, but somewhat disappointed. Then I went through the stages of grief!

Denial (this isn't happening to me!) -I am not a ma'am, I am still very young!
Anger (why is this happening to me?) - Okay maybe I am older, when did this happen?
Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...) - I am 47 years old but I look young, right?
Depression (I don't care anymore) - bummer I am 47 and I look 47!
Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes) - You know, I am happy I am 47; I wouldn't really want to turn back. I like where I am today!

It took about 30 minutes to get to Acceptance! So go ahead call me ma'am, I am now proud to be a ma'am! With age comes experience and with experience comes wisdom. I may be getting older and looking the part, but I am only getting smarter!

This wisdom I have acquired I can do good works with! I love my young 1^st time home buyers and I can share what I know with them.

So now I love my MA'AM status!

CALL ME MA'AM!

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Megan McGonigal

Integrity Real Estate - Northeast, MD

CRP - Cecil County, MD & Harford County, MD Real Estate

I am 30 and have been called mam a few times for the past 2 years. I would say you are lucky. Although the first time it happened I was like huh?

Mar 07, 2008 10:31 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Okay, Megan I just looked at your pic on your website.........you look very young to me.........the people who called you ma'am must of been 5 years old! hahahaha

Mar 07, 2008 10:35 PM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

Michelle- I am 41 and sometimes I get carded when buying alcohol and then there are times I get called Ma'am. I try to figure out what I wore or look like the day I get carded so that I do it more often...LOL.

Mar 07, 2008 10:37 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Laura, that is REALLY funny! let me know if you figure it out............

Mar 07, 2008 10:39 PM

Sara Homan

Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL

Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

I was born and raised in NY (on Long Island) by my New Orleans raised Momma. We didn't necessarily say yes/no sir/ma'am but we knew it was the respectful thing to do. I now live in Ocala Florida for 3.5 years and it is simply a way of life to call men/women of all ages sir/ma'am. I doubt it had anything to do with your age or was personal. It simply was the way he's been taught... Remember you're as young as you feel!

Mar 07, 2008 10:41 PM

Gary McAdams

GMAC Schwartz Property Sales - Key West, FL

I feel for you. I am 39 and starting to notice things I do that I remember as a kid thinking "That is what ols people do". I went to lunch with one of the new agents in my office last week. She was writing her first contract and asked me to look it over before she brought it to her buyer. She's about 25. I will say in my defense, she looks about 18. I saw a friend a few days later who told me they saw me leaving with a young girl who looked like my daughter or niece. That hurt. My nieces are 8 and twin 5 year olds and my daughters are my dogs. They are 4 and 7. If it makes you feel any better I am looking at your picture and think you look like a young kid. Smile, we all get older each day.

Mar 07, 2008 10:45 PM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Hi Laura,

I turned the big 50 this year and I feel great! I was carded the other day for buying some alcohol and I asked the cashier if she was kidding. She was very serious when she told me she wasn't then she looked at my license, up at me, and did a double take. It made me feel happy but I would not trade experience for youth even if I could.

Enjoy who and where you are today!!!

Mar 07, 2008 10:45 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Sara - I lived in North Carolina for a few years and they did call everyone ma'am and sir. However was raised in Hollywood Florida where nobody did. They really do not do that here, but he could of been from somewhere else, your right.........okay I am going with that! I feel young! Really the best of all worlds, I feel young, with out all the challenges young people have to face!

Mar 07, 2008 10:47 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Okay, I want to get carded now! Patty, I am with you, would not exchange youth for experience!

Mar 07, 2008 10:50 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I call ladies ma'am even when I know they are 20,30,40...whatever...must be my southern upbringing. It is a respectful ma'am!

Mar 07, 2008 10:58 PM

Annette Smith

Allen Real Estate Services, Inc. - Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Real Estate Agent

Sara, you are adorable! I grew up in Greenville, MS where it is the way of life. My mamma would have had me pick the switch if I didn't call her "ma'am". I'm sure the young man was being respectful as you are certainly very young and beautiful. I now live in Florida and they do say "ma'am" at Starbuck's!

Mar 07, 2008 11:01 PM

Harold "Hal" Place

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Age is a state of mind, sometimes I think I have lost mine. LOL

I remember the first time I wasn't carded. I thought to myself, hummm when did I start looking my age and older???

Be assured, you weren't addressed as Ma'am because you lQQk the part, pictures don't lie, the address came because of the mature way you carry yourself. That stature calls for the respect and recognition you were bestowed.

Have a great day!!

Hal

Mar 07, 2008 11:03 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Gary M, thank you for saying I still look like a kid...............

Gary W - and it could be you are a retired service man! I know they all call everyone ma'am too. I was at the WCR Christmas party a few years ago. We collect toys for tots at the part. 3 young Marines came in uniform to pick up the toys! They dance with all of as. I was having so much fun, this one young Marine knew how to swing dance..........I was in my glory, till he told me he was having fun, it was like dancing with his mother!

Mar 07, 2008 11:06 PM

Anonymous

Well Michelle you don't look like a Ma'am. I am 42. I have been called ma'am so many times. All of my children's friends call me ma'am. (20, 15, 10). But it is okay because I do not look or feel like a ma'am. I can out skate. out bike, and out dance my children and any of their friends. I am a ma'am and I am fine with it. I don't think I will ever look or act the part and I am proud of that. My mother is 70 and boy she is beautiful and healthy and strong so I am going to be like her. So let's pray that the one's that are calling us ma'am are able to be called that one day.

Mar 07, 2008 11:07 PM

#14

Neal Bloom

Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL

Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

I turn 45 in two weeks but I was being called sir for a few years now...I hate it...I'd rather they call me dude!:)

Mar 07, 2008 11:07 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Neal..........DUDE............really funny!

Hal, what anice thing to say!

Mar 07, 2008 11:09 PM

Sonya Rosser

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA

Mar 07, 2008 11:13 PM

Jeanean Gendron

The Address Realty - Redding, CA

Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Michelle, cute post and great attitude. Young comes from within and if you see yourself as young you always will be. Sonya describes her mother and she is forever young!

Mar 07, 2008 11:28 PM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Sonya, I want to be like your mom some day too! I am not as active as you are, but I am trying to change that!

Jeanean, I am going to be forever young!

Chris, I just got done writing my 1st time home buyers book...........yours sounds more detailed then mine. I need to fix the closing part.........I would love to see what you have! Thanks!

Mar 09, 2008 01:15 AM