No Thank You, Ma'am

Here is an example of how the simplest acts of kindness can make a persons day. This is going to sound so very silly but I hate being called Ma'am. I absolutely hate it. I don't know when I became a Ma'am, but the first time someone called me that I died a little inside. I thought, oh well, it's all downhill from here. And that was quite a long time ago. I realize people are just trying to be respectful and it is a very appropriate word to use when referring to someone of my age but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I also don't like to be called Miss anymore, I used to like it but there came a point when it started to sound condescending. Like they were trying to spare my feelings by calling me Miss when I was so obviously a Ma'am. It is like saying something is really cute when it is clearly the ugliest of the bunch, your trying to be kind, but it just makes it more obvious. I may be totally off on this one, but Starbucks has a new customer in me for one of the most bizarre reasons ever. It has nothing to do with their coffee or the cleanliness of their stores, or the speed of their service. I go back to that particular Starbucks because the drive through guy calls me Hon. I love it. Maybe I was a southerner in a past life. I think it is a wonderful substitute for the elderly Ma'am and the condescending Miss. I guess not everyone could pull off a Hon but I wish more people would try. I am in a good mood in the rain - that is a big accomplishment for me and it all started with a "have a good day now, Hon"!