jdigs 0 Posted June 17, 2003 This is a silly poll I know..but there must be some thoughts on how one should adress a female officer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 8 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takara_Soong 4 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. I agree. Personally I've never really liked being called ma'am in a formal way. Makes me feel old. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekkergirl220 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I nulled my vote, because I don't really like either. I know sir is more official and shows higher authority, but its kind of weird having a female called sir. If I was an officer, I don't think I would really want to be called ma'am though either (imo), so I can't really choose. I wish there was another name which could be used other than sir or ma'am. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdigs 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I nulled my vote, because I don't really like either. I know sir is more official and shows higher authority, but its kind of weird having a female called sir. If I was an officer, I don't think I would really want to be called ma'am though either (imo), so I can't really choose. I wish there was another name which could be used other than sir or ma'am. Well..there is..you can call them by their title..like in Star Trek.."Commander" In real life.."Mr/Ms. Smith" :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrekkieMage 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. I agree :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekkergirl220 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I nulled my vote, because I don't really like either. I know sir is more official and shows higher authority, but its kind of weird having a female called sir. If I was an officer, I don't think I would really want to be called ma'am though either (imo), so I can't really choose. I wish there was another name which could be used other than sir or ma'am. Well..there is..you can call them by their title..like in Star Trek.."Commander" In real life.."Mr/Ms. Smith" :) lol, oh yeah. But commander doesn't always work. What if your more than a commander, like an admiral, you wouldn't want to be called commander. I meant a word like sir, but for women, and still showing high authority. I know they could use mrs. but that really doesn't sound right..(I mean in terms of start trek) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lessa_Soong 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I don't like the 'sir' option, so i would go 'ma'am, but Captain or Commander (or what ever rank) as much as possible. I still remember the first time i was called "ma'am" I was 17 and it shocked the hell out of me. Just cuz i was over the guy, did not mean i wanted him to call me that! :) I must have sputtered for him to just call me by name for five minutes. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdigs 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I don't like the 'sir' option, so i would go 'ma'am, but Captain or Commander (or what ever rank) as much as possible. I still remember the first time i was called "ma'am" I was 17 and it shocked the hell out of me. Just cuz i was over the guy, did not mean i wanted him to call me that! :) I must have sputtered for him to just call me by name for five minutes. :) I like being called Sir. Makes me feel as though at least I'm being treated with respect..plus I went to a Private school and it's been ingrained in me that Sir and Ma'am are the way to go..TrekkieMage, If you and I were Star Trek Characters..wouldn't you rather I call you Admiral or Commander or whatever your rank is to that of Ma'am? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lollypop 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. I agree :) Me too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RikerChick 5 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. Agreed. However nobody calls me ma'am unless they want to lose a few teeth. I hate being called ma'am! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrekkieMage 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I don't like the 'sir' option, so i would go 'ma'am, but Captain or Commander (or what ever rank) as much as possible. I still remember the first time i was called "ma'am" I was 17 and it shocked the hell out of me. Just cuz i was over the guy, did not mean i wanted him to call me that! :) I must have sputtered for him to just call me by name for five minutes. :) I like being called Sir. Makes me feel as though at least I'm being treated with respect..plus I went to a Private school and it's been ingrained in me that Sir and Ma'am are the way to go..TrekkieMage, If you and I were Star Trek Characters..wouldn't you rather I call you Admiral or Commander or whatever your rank is to that of Ma'am? I'd say Commander. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bevfanK 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. I agree :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chataeya 0 Posted June 17, 2003 MA'AM FINE WITH ME, USE TO IT. :) :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xeroc 0 Posted June 17, 2003 I'd say go with what they want - but I personally think ma'am sounds better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ensign_beedrill 0 Posted June 18, 2003 "Sir" all the way. I think that's the coolest thing ever that they call their female officers "sir." Well, maybe not ever, but it still ranks up there. I'd love it if people called me "sir." I just think "sir" sounds a whole lot better than "ma'am." But this is the subject of some of my favorite dialogue from Voyager: Janeway: Despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir. Kim: Yes...ma'am? Janeway: Ma'am will do in a crunch. But I prefer Captain. [later on] Kim: Yes, Ma'am. Janeway: It's not crunch time yet, Mr. Kim. I'll let you know when. I'll let you know when. *giggles* Poor Harry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrekkieMage 0 Posted June 18, 2003 "Sir" all the way. I think that's the coolest thing ever that they call their female officers "sir." Well, maybe not ever, but it still ranks up there. I'd love it if people called me "sir." I just think "sir" sounds a whole lot better than "ma'am." But this is the subject of some of my favorite dialogue from Voyager: Janeway: Despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir. Kim: Yes...ma'am? Janeway: Ma'am will do in a crunch. But I prefer Captain. [later on] Kim: Yes, Ma'am. Janeway: It's not crunch time yet, Mr. Kim. I'll let you know when. I'll let you know when. *giggles* Poor Harry. I love that! :lol: Harry's expression said it all... :lol: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybear 0 Posted June 18, 2003 i've always found it strange that there is 'Sir' for men, and both 'Miss' and 'ma'am' for women - i know the two denote marital status, but why just for women? - ok, ok, the way we were - still, i found some enlightenment when first i saw Mr. Saavik (kirstie alley) being addressed as 'Mr' and 'Sir" in ST2; i was young, and the influence on me was a broadened mind, and maybe even morality - of course, Janeway can (and will) do as she likes... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xeroc 0 Posted June 18, 2003 "Sir" all the way. I think that's the coolest thing ever that they call their female officers "sir." Well, maybe not ever, but it still ranks up there. I'd love it if people called me "sir." I just think "sir" sounds a whole lot better than "ma'am." But this is the subject of some of my favorite dialogue from Voyager: Janeway: Despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir. Kim: Yes...ma'am? Janeway: Ma'am will do in a crunch. But I prefer Captain. [later on] Kim: Yes, Ma'am. Janeway: It's not crunch time yet, Mr. Kim. I'll let you know when. I'll let you know when. *giggles* Poor Harry. I love that! :lol: Harry's expression said it all... :lol: LOL!!! Great scene! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarah 0 Posted June 19, 2003 I think that how you address them depends on who you're addressing.....if they want to be called sir or ma'am...... I would prefer calling her ma'am however Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klingonmike 0 Posted June 19, 2003 When I was in the Army we had to call all female officers ma'am. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose 0 Posted June 19, 2003 Stardate:213463.9 I believe it should be the officers perodgative(spelling?)on what they want.But IMO if i was a female officer i belive i would prefer sir.It doesnt seem to me that in that situation sir doesnt neccasarily refer to gender. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddillard 2 Posted June 19, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. Agreed. However nobody calls me ma'am unless they want to lose a few teeth. I hate being called ma'am! I will have to remember that, since I was raised to use sir and ma'am as terms of respect. Whenever I was told to do something by someone who was older than me or in a position of authority I would have been knocked flat by my father if I did not respond with yes sir/ma'am. I have carried that into my adult life. Expecially since I spent the last five years in the security field, where I was referred to as sir on a daily basis. When I call someone ma'am it is not meant to be insulting in any way, quite the opposite it is simply that I have a good deal of respect for them and should be taken in that manner. But looks like I had better be careful saying it in Vegas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ezri Dax 0 Posted June 19, 2003 I know I would prefer sir.. lol But I think you adress someone by the way he or she wants to be adressed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RikerChick 5 Posted June 19, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. Agreed. However nobody calls me ma'am unless they want to lose a few teeth. I hate being called ma'am! I will have to remember that, since I was raised to use sir and ma'am as terms of respect. Whenever I was told to do something by someone who was older than me or in a position of authority I would have been knocked flat by my father if I did not respond with yes sir/ma'am. I have carried that into my adult life. Expecially since I spent the last five years in the security field, where I was referred to as sir on a daily basis. When I call someone ma'am it is not meant to be insulting in any way, quite the opposite it is simply that I have a good deal of respect for them and should be taken in that manner. But looks like I had better be careful saying it in Vegas. As much as I hate it, if you can tell that somebody is saying it out of respect I'll usually just ask them to use another term. For me growing up you only called somebody ma'am when you were being sarcastic or rude. It was very derogatory. Besides, I could never hit you. Unless you threaten another pic of me with Wesley, then you better start ducking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VaBeachGuy 12 Posted June 19, 2003 I'm not sure what it's based on, calling a female officer Sir. Maybe it's a Naval thing. In the Army I served under both female commanders and male commanders. Near the end of my tour I was the battalion adjutant's driver (a female Captain). Whenever I needed to use the expression it was "Yes Ma'am" and I also drove male Colonels, Captains and just about every rank below General and for males it's Sir for females it's Ma'am. Anyway, that's how the Army does it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddillard 2 Posted June 20, 2003 I think you should address them however they wish to be addressed. Agreed. However nobody calls me ma'am unless they want to lose a few teeth. I hate being called ma'am! I will have to remember that, since I was raised to use sir and ma'am as terms of respect. Whenever I was told to do something by someone who was older than me or in a position of authority I would have been knocked flat by my father if I did not respond with yes sir/ma'am. I have carried that into my adult life. Expecially since I spent the last five years in the security field, where I was referred to as sir on a daily basis. When I call someone ma'am it is not meant to be insulting in any way, quite the opposite it is simply that I have a good deal of respect for them and should be taken in that manner. But looks like I had better be careful saying it in Vegas. As much as I hate it, if you can tell that somebody is saying it out of respect I'll usually just ask them to use another term. For me growing up you only called somebody ma'am when you were being sarcastic or rude. It was very derogatory. Besides, I could never hit you. Unless you threaten another pic of me with Wesley, then you better start ducking. I will remember that. Guess I better ditch that photo that just miraculously "appeared" on my computer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gotabite 0 Posted June 20, 2003 I think many of us females don't like the term m'am, because it's often associated with a woman who is older. Personally I've never liked the term. Yet, I would not want anyone to say yes sir to me either, as I am definitely not a man. My preference would be to be addressed by my rank....example Aye Captain, etc.... I wish there was another word that implied respect for a female officer. But since there isn't .......guess m'am will have to be my choice. :o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RikerChick 5 Posted June 21, 2003 Guess I better ditch that photo that just miraculously "appeared" on my computer. :ph34r: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddillard 2 Posted June 21, 2003 Guess I better ditch that photo that just miraculously "appeared" on my computer. :ph34r: But the pic just won't delete. I keep deleting it and it comes right back, I think it is demanding to be seen. :devil: :huh: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites