Ma'am

I've been hanging out with some local kids lately and there is one thing that is so similar about Caymanian kids and Bermudian kids. They are so very respectful of their elders, doesn't matter if the age difference is 10 years or more. Here in Cayman I have seen this respectful demeanour carried forward even in adults addressing the older generation.

When the kids (all boys) first saw me last evening, I was greeted with a resounding Hi Ms (X) and for every question I'd ask, I'd get a Yes Ma'am or a No Ma'am response. Sheesh, I was starting to feel really old, much older than my years. If this were to happen to you, you too would feel one of two things or maybe even both - either that the MA'AM makes you feel like you're an old(er) woman or that it makes you feel special. I'm not complaining and while I wanted to tell them that they don't need to address me as such, I did not want to break or interfere with their tradition, especially since they have been taught to address everyone in this manner. I think it's nice to see children be so respectful in this day and age, especially boys (especially since they are known to be more free spirited than girls are). Is that a sexist comment? I don't mean it to be and as much as I try to stay away from stereotypes, sometimes it's just the way it is.