Ma'am is a polite way to address a woman, especially one you don't know well or who deserves respect. It's short for “madam.” You might say “Yes, ma'am” when answering your teacher, “Excuse me, ma'am” when getting a stranger's attention in a store, or “Thank you, ma'am” when someone holds a door open for you.

In some parts of the United States, particularly the South, people use ma'am routinely as a sign of courtesy and good manners, the same way they might use “sir” for men. In other regions, it's used less frequently, mostly in formal situations or when showing extra respect.

Some women appreciate being called ma'am because it shows respect. Others feel it makes them sound older than they'd like, preferring to be called by their name instead. People often listen to how others around them address someone, or simply use the person's name if they know it. The goal of saying ma'am is to be respectful and polite, so if someone seems uncomfortable with it, it's perfectly fine to adjust and find another courteous way to speak with them.