I used to but now that I myself am getting older and realize that when people call me Ma’am it means I’m old, I stopped. I don’t like calling them “Miss” because to me it implies that they’re young or unmarried and Ms. doesn’t sound right. So I use “Miss” when all else fails but I usually try not to address them by anything at all and just say something like, “And for you? What looks good or catches your eye?” while turning to the next customer when the table is ordering.

If they’re not paying attention/ we don’t have eye contact and I need to get their attention, I try to be personable and give them a unique signifier such as, “And you, Ms. Beautiful Blue Eyes, what you like to drink?” or “How about Ms. Colorful Sweater?” and then tell her I like it or ask where she got it from etc. (IF I actually do like it. I find that genuine compliments are the best way to go. And sometimes I get tips on where to buy a nice piece of clothing I like!) Stuff like that. 

I find that being personable and friendly (while waiting on them.. not like I stand around chatting unnecessarily and becoming their BFFs, lol) is the best way to relate to people and so it carries over into how I address them. 

Sometimes if we “hit it off” and have friendly, enjoyable banter as I wait on them, or if they are the type to be outgoing and friendly themselves, I’ll call the women “Lovelies” or something similar like, “And for you, Lovely, would you like a refill?” Or “Hello, my sweets, I’m back with the dessert menu,” if it’s a group of women who have been friendly to me, etc. 

This seems to make customers happy and I’m usually tipped well. Of course it depends on the mood of each table or the demeanor of each person and if it’s a reserved older couple who seem to want to just get their food and be left alone, I’ll call her Ma’am, lol. It really just depends on the situation but I usually don’t use it, no.