"Ma'am" I don't mind (I do feel old though when I hear it but I appreciate the respect) and can appreciate it also much more than being called other things, such as "young lady" as mentioned above or even "missy"; as the sarcasm just drips from them and being so derogatory from these. That last one in particular drives me up a wall. I can understand the Miss vs Mrs. from younger ones if not knowing or understanding the difference; even if married to say Miss, it still seems respectful to me until someone has a chance to politely correct them. I remember as a kid not always knowing, so asking someone's preference, but some children even teens are shy to be able to ask. It would be nice if parents helped them. Then again, some children don't care, and still should be corrected with what we prefer to be called.