That's weird, I just wrote a few paragraphs in response to your fab story. Came back to edit and add something and it's not here! Glitchy Medium maybe? Or did I manage to leave the page without hitting "respond"?! (wouldn't surprise me!)

Anyway - I'll sum up the re-write! First - an excellent read - thank you!

I don't mind being called Ma'am; feels like a show of respect - in most cases. As you say, though, there are times where people COULD just ask my name and it does feel like they see me as OLD (whether or not they do, I don't know).

I detest being called "Miss" here in the UK. It feels ridiculous and also hate being called a guy ("you guys"). Would prefer Ma'am to either of these.

But I do get your point and agree about the attitudes of young people to those of us who have done a few more journeys around the sun than they have.

Thank you for another great read! I do enjoy your writing style and your "energy" so much!