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yorkster

(3,767 posts)

62. Me too..

Reply to Easterncedar (Reply #34)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 12:42 PM

Yesterday

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What is it with calling older women "momma" when they are customers at a business? [View all] hamsterjill Yesterday OP

I ain't your mamma! eliZabet Yesterday #1

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #67

Way to make a strong statement with your first post. True Dough Yesterday #127

It's a country custom to call all females momma when they are childbearing age or older. lark Yesterday #2

Time to stop that custom. hamsterjill Yesterday #5

Even if it's not a business, it is presumptuous and demeaning and inaccurate as well. lark Yesterday #9

I agree and I have lived/worked/spent time in 37/50 states and never heard it except hlthe2b Yesterday #21

Oh, I'm on a crusade now. It won't go unaddressed again. hamsterjill Yesterday #23

frankly new to me as well. and, if it is/was a 'rural' thing - it was in parts of the country stopdiggin Yesterday #47

Yes, I agree PatSeg Yesterday #48

There is nothing wrong with expecting someone to use your name. hamsterjill Yesterday #53

Excellent example PatSeg Yesterday #60

Hon and sweetie are the norm here in KY Bayard Yesterday #116

I lived in Mississippi for a short time in the 1960s PatSeg Yesterday #117

I lived in Mississippi for a short time in the 1960s PatSeg Yesterday #118

I'm 69 and never heard it before. Ferrets are Cool Yesterday #14

Yes and Sugar, Sweetie, Honey PatSeg Yesterday #50

spent 65 years in Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia Brainstormy Yesterday #16

I'm a Floridian and I have never heard it here or in the South. Of course, I don't hang out in rural parts either. lark Yesterday #17

I think he lied to you. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #96

WTF Skittles Yesterday #125

I didn't like it. lark 13 hrs ago #130

I don't think they mean any disrespect. LuvLoogie Yesterday #3

I don't think they mean disrespect. hamsterjill Yesterday #7

Is it an AAVE thing or a Southern Thing? I haven't noticed it anywhere... QueerDuck Yesterday #77

Some here have explained that it's a Hispanic cultural thing. hamsterjill Yesterday #78

The only time I've heard it was in a CVS. The pharm tech was spooky3 Yesterday #79

Oh, I hate that one, too. hamsterjill Yesterday #82

Oh, yeah "young iady" . electric_blue68 Yesterday #84

I agree with you! 100% QueerDuck Yesterday #87

As for "pops", I would be inclined to take that as casually dismissive at best from a stranger... Harker Yesterday #31

I don't know, man. LuvLoogie Yesterday #35

I no longer have a professional setting, and I'm usually pretty quick with a quip. Harker Yesterday #42

I was called "Boss" by one of my troops LogDog75 Yesterday #80

How 'bout thanks, prick? Trueblue Texan Yesterday #98

Lighten up, Francis. LuvLoogie Yesterday #102

This is light. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #107

Noted... LuvLoogie Yesterday #114

"Junior" is good. "You young whippersnapper" is kind of the A-bomb; use it sparingly. :) nt eppur_se_muova 22 hrs ago #128

I'm 71 and retired, but the two people I called boss Nittersing Yesterday #44

I'd bet that they did, given that you used it with respect. Harker Yesterday #55

I noticed that the contractor who worked on my house was called spooky3 Yesterday #81

I doubt very seriously it is an attempt to show respect. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #97

It's not that serious. Sometimes I'm called "baby" LuvLoogie Yesterday #101

Never Heard That, But... ProfessorGAC Yesterday #4

When my wife was in rehab it was the black nurses & aides who did that TexLaProgressive Yesterday #6

My guess is she wasn't even aware she called you that. CrispyQ Yesterday #8

You're probably right. hamsterjill Yesterday #11

I've never heard that and I hope I never do, because I could get real unpleasant. Ocelot II Yesterday #10

I thought it was just a South Texas thing... hamsterjill Yesterday #12

It's definitely not a Minnesota thing. Ocelot II Yesterday #13

Well, once again, Ocelot hamsterjill Yesterday #22

We're feeling a bit prickly in these parts lately. Ocelot II Yesterday #25

I'm surprised you didn't answer with "Satan's Spawn". hamsterjill Yesterday #29

It is NOT a Texas thing. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #100

Now that I think about it, I knew a young woman who called her daughter momma. CrispyQ Yesterday #56

I've heard the reference to female babies, too. hamsterjill Yesterday #65

I thought it was an old rock & roll thing eShirl Yesterday #15

Like "my old lady"???? hamsterjill Yesterday #18

I never liked that term either...I thought it was condescending. walkingman Yesterday #36

I've never gotten "momma," but the last hair stylist who cut my hair was "dear this" and "dear that." Vinca Yesterday #19

I like your fantasy! hamsterjill Yesterday #20

You know what else bugs me? Doctors. Ocelot II Yesterday #28

I started my nurse practitioner career in the Air Force, where I was addressed by my rank. 3catwoman3 Yesterday #68

I go to the stop n rob down the street for gas because I get digital coupons and a clerk there is the sweetest Deuxcents Yesterday #24

Interesting... hamsterjill Yesterday #26

I couldn't agree more... Trueblue Texan Yesterday #27

And yet some are taking offense that I'm expecting equality. SMH... hamsterjill Yesterday #75

not uncommon for indian shopkeepers where i live. mopinko Yesterday #30

I think it's just one of those things. LuckyCharms Yesterday #32

My name has 3 syllables. So I don't mind if people shorten it to 1 syllable. Zackzzzz Yesterday #38

I have a friend whose name is "Michael". hamsterjill Yesterday #41

In Hispanic cutures it is a form of respect DUMember24 Yesterday #33

I understand that it may be cultural, but it's still not right. hamsterjill Yesterday #39

In Maine they used to say "Dee-ah", unisex and kindly Easterncedar Yesterday #34

Me too.. yorkster Yesterday #62

Maybe they're so illiterate Mblaze Yesterday #37

No, it was definitely "momma". hamsterjill Yesterday #40

Call the bank AverageOldGuy Yesterday #43

It's meant as a sign of friendly respect Bobstandard Yesterday #45

I look for the good in people. hamsterjill Yesterday #49

Momma wouldn't bother me. It sounds like she is trying to be friendly. 1WorldHope Yesterday #46

I'm sorry, but it bothers me. hamsterjill Yesterday #51

I too am a feminist. I understand how much stress young people are under. 1WorldHope Yesterday #61

I asked a question to make her think. hamsterjill Yesterday #63

My grandmother would have been offended if you called her ma'am. (short for madam) Ptah Yesterday #71

What did she want to be called as a sign of respect? hamsterjill Yesterday #72

My point is that what is offensive to some is not offensive to others. Ptah Yesterday #73

So if a 40 year old male is to be referred to as "sir" hamsterjill Yesterday #74

you ain't alone, gal Skittles Yesterday #126

do like this response. it may seem 'odd' to your prior experience stopdiggin Yesterday #58

It may not feel rude to you, but it certainly feels that way to some of us. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #99

gaslighting ?? Yikes! I see an exchange of opinion ... (which seems to be about equally divided up and down thread) stopdiggin Yesterday #106

I guess you could say that no matter the offense. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #109

Yeah. If we have a diffferent point of view - definitely a 'put down' involved .. stopdiggin Yesterday #111

I think we are in agreement on this, at least. nt Trueblue Texan Yesterday #113

Joking? The sarcasm was literally dripping ... stopdiggin Yesterday #115

neither are mine. I hope you have a lovely Friday night. nt Trueblue Texan Yesterday #119

Working in Southern California for 50+ years I always felt respected when addressed as Momma. quaint Yesterday #52

I'm happy for you. hamsterjill Yesterday #54

Ubiquitous in the office world of SoCal. quaint Yesterday #57

But what did they call the men? hamsterjill Yesterday #59

I haven't heard anything except uncle or boss, usually not standing close enough. quaint Yesterday #89

If it came from someone in those cultures, I would know it was meant as respect. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #103

How would someone, being respectful in their culture, know you would be greatly offended by Momma? quaint Yesterday #105

I said if the comment came from one of those cultures mentioned I would NOT have taken it as disrespectful. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #110

It is meant to be a term of endearment but it is perhaps too familiar in that situation. camartinwv Yesterday #64

What do they call men of the same age? hamsterjill Yesterday #66

You have asked this a few times Lifeafter70 Yesterday #86

Yes, I wanted an answer. hamsterjill Yesterday #88

No problem for me Lifeafter70 Yesterday #90

Noted. hamsterjill Yesterday #91

Wow Lifeafter70 Yesterday #104

I always take it as being accepted into a community, too. n/t femmedem Yesterday #122

Coming from someone in a hispanic culture it means something different, I know. Trueblue Texan Yesterday #112

I feel like the majority of DUers on this thread must lead very insular lives. intheflow Yesterday #69

Good for you. hamsterjill Yesterday #70

and if someone says "bless your heart" would you know what it meant? Trueblue Texan Yesterday #120

The insular comment was because so many DUers intheflow 12 hrs ago #132

I am an older woman of color Keepthesoulalive Yesterday #76

Those workers represent the bussiness they're working for LogDog75 Yesterday #83

Mostly I hear this from Hispanic people. electric_blue68 Yesterday #85

It bothered me a ton till I had worked in Hispanic neighborhoods for a while. There were a few Scrivener7 Yesterday #92

They wouldn't call me momma twice. To adults I am Ms Dorothy until you know me better, and always to children. Dorothy V Yesterday #93

Maya Angelou hamsterjill Yesterday #94

Great video! Terms of respect vary from area to area. Here, Ms. or Mr. followed by the first name is Dorothy V Yesterday #95

This is what I'm saying Lifeafter70 Yesterday #108

There's only so much time when you're in the drive through lane!!!! hamsterjill Yesterday #121

No Lifeafter70 Yesterday #123

I don't understand why it's so important to you that *I* be like you. hamsterjill Yesterday #124

I've had that happen twice, both times by Vietnamese manicurists, Totally Tunsie 21 hrs ago #129

"If I was your mama, I'd have raised you to have better manners!" The Blue Flower 13 hrs ago #131

Love this!!! hamsterjill 12 hrs ago #133