a form of respect for a woman regardless of age or position. In the Southern (southeastern) and Southwestern US, ma'am is used to address any female, regardless of her age or position.
Is it disrespectful to call someone ma am?
Ma'am is somewhat outdated honourific and a contraction of madame. It is a sign of respect and should never cause offence. It is usually reserved for older or married women and today may not be in common usage, depending on where you live.
What does it mean when people call you ma am?
used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman.
Is it formal to use ma am?
People sometimes say ma'am as a very formal and polite way of addressing a woman whose name they do not know or a woman of superior rank.
Is it rude to say ma am and Sir?
On the whole, the use of sir and madam is archaic and somewhat odd, but it is not rude (unless used with a heavy emphasis on the sir or madam).