A Shocking Display of Rudeness

Indeed you DO address the Queen as "Ma'am", but only AFTER you have been introduced to Her Majesty, and have greeted her as such. Also, one never initiates conversation with royalty, speaking only when directly spoken to. BTW, one NEVER presumes to touch royalty, as Michelle Obama did. And yes, the President IS called 'sir', after first introduction. There is NOTHING impolite about it. Etiquette is about making others comfortable, not about reminding others of one's importance, real or perceived.

Barbara Boxer was WAY out of line. Real class would have accepted what every other Senator accepts because etiquette permits the honorific 'ma'am' or 'sir'. Or, if there had been an unintended omission, which there was not, s/he would...