Sir or Madam

[STARP_JVP]

I hate being called Sir. My dad is sir. My granddad is sir. A Colonel is sir. I'm.. "You," or "kid," or even "son."

You still call your dad 'Sir'? If I called my Dad "Sir?" he'd just laugh. Either that or get pissed off 'cos I was being sarcastic.

 

[Renton]

Further, I'll almost never object to a stranger addressing me formally. I think I've done it once - ever.

You're talking about Sind Sie/Du Bist distinction right? (My German is 1. almost nonexistant, and 2. very rusty.)

My teachers over here drummed it into us that abusung the distinction would be a faux pas akin to putting your todger in the mashed potatoes at a fancy party. Always gratifying to see the sacred cows of your high school education crumble.

 

[Uzumaki]

I understand that some shopkeepers in Japan will use the adress form "-sama", usually reserved for dieties and rulers. It's quite a bit more sycophantic than "sir", certainly.

Yeah, but they're all about politeness and respect in Japan. I'm often called "sir" which confuses me, as I'm quite a "ma'am." Occasionally, I'll call an older person I don't know by one of those terms. "Excuse me, sir, do you know what time it is?" etc.

If I'm at least partly familiar with you, or you're in my age group, I'll call you "dude." I used to work with a dude at my past job who was much older than me, but was new, so was my 'inferior' in the field. I called him "dude" once, and he freaked out about it, but I continued to do it, as it's my habit, dialect, and partly out of spite.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I heard the Prime Minister being grilled about this issue on the radio this morning. Even he agreed that it was well-intentioned but misguided to try and make it a universal rule.

When I worked in retail I omitted "sir" and "ma'am" from my vocabulary most of the time. I don't have to say "Excuse me, sir, can I help you?", I just said "Excuse me, can I help you?"

I find people are likely to use it as customers. I usually say "Thanks, mate" as I leave the counter with my purchases. Unless I was served by a woman; calling women "mate" isn't a meme in my head. But then, to me, "mate" doesn't imply comradeship or anything, so there's no prejudice against women there.

 

[Darkness]

You're talking about Sind Sie/Du Bist distinction right? (My German is 1. almost nonexistant, and 2. very rusty.)

Yep.

My teachers over here drummed it into us that abusung the distinction would be a faux pas akin to putting your todger in the mashed potatoes at a fancy party. Always gratifying to see the sacred cows of your high school education crumble.

Heh. Right, whether or not to address someone as 'Sie' is a question of context rather than a universal requirement. Also, since you're not a native speaker, most self-confident people will probably cut you a lot of slack even in most formal situations.

 

[Ashwyn]

I don't like to be called sir. I like things to be kept informal as much as possible.

 

[Mr. T]

Weird coincidence

A really weird thing happened as i was reading this thread. A radio station that I pick up broadcasts the BBC Newshour on weekdays (it's WOUM if you're wondering) and they broadcasted this story as i was reading this thread. Coincidence? Maybe. Sinester plot by people in the goverment with vauge sounding names? Probably.

 

[reveal]

Being from a southern/air force family and joining the air force taught me a lot about Sir and Ma'am. To me, it's about respect. I know some people don't like being called Sir or Ma'am because they think it makes them old. It does not.

I grew up saying "Yes Sir" or "No Ma'am" to my parents. I see nothing wrong with it. To me, it's not political in nature at all, it's just polite.

 

[Kemrain]

You still call your dad 'Sir'? If I called my Dad "Sir?" he'd just laugh. Either that or get pissed off 'cos I was being sarcastic.

I haven't spoken to my father in over a year, and I only called him sir a few times to rile him. He's ex-military, so he hated being called sir. What I mean is, he's in his 50's. I'm in my 20's. I don't deserve Sir. I'm still a kid. Sir is for older than me people.

- Kemrain the Young.

 

[reveal]

I haven't spoken to my father in over a year, and I only called him sir a few times to rile him. He's ex-military, so he hated being called sir. What I mean is, he's in his 50's. I'm in my 20's. I don't deserve Sir. I'm still a kid. Sir is for older than me people.

- Kemrain the Young.

Sir is for anyone you respect who is older than you.