As I live my dotage years I notice more people calling me Sir.

[Pinky]

Ma’am and Sir are used in my area of the South as a sign of respect. I don’t mind being called Ma’am at all.
A few years ago a 30 something hipster looking woman called me ‘Dearie’ and she sneered when she said it. Made me so mad, but as usual, I couldn’t come up with a response. By the time I realized I’d been insulted she’d walked away.
Still makes me mad.

You should have called her "sir" or "mister"

 

[fuzzybuddy]

"Sir" sounds a lot better than "Hey, idiot".

 

[dobielvr]

I get called 'mamm' occasionally and it used to kind of bother me and surprise me. Not thinking that I looked like I should be called that.

But hey, it's better than some things I've been called. So, I just roll with it.

 

[terry123]

That's OK, plus I noticed they've stopped asking me for ID at the liquor store....

Not here. I had a delivery of Crown yesterday and had to give them my drivers license and they took a picture of it. I also had to sign for it.