Sir or Madam

[Kemrain]

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

Yes, sir.

- Kemrain the Saluting the Colonel.

 

[Ashwyn]

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.

I think it's more polite to call people what they want to be called, and not what you want to call them, sir.

 

[diaglo]

sir is a form of respect. you have it until you lose it.

i call people sir or ma'am. when they lose my respect. i call them other things.

 

[reveal]

I think it's more polite to call people what they want to be called, and not what you want to call them, sir.

I agree. But if you don't know what they want to be called, it's best to be respectful from the start. If they say "Call me ...." then you respect their wishes.

 

[Ashwyn]

I agree. But if you don't know what they want to be called, it's best to be respectful from the start. If they say "Call me ...." then you respect their wishes.

Yup, and that's what I do.

 

[Zander]

I don't want to sound like a snob but it does bother me when someone I don't know well addresses me by my first name instead of my title and surname especially if that person is considerably younger than me or is providing a service I'm paying for.

If they don't know my name, "sir" is OK but "mate", "dude" etc isn't. If the syntax permits, I don't mind if the "sir" is dropped, e.g. "Can I help you?" instead of "Can I help you, sir?"

 

[tarchon]

I say whatever people usually say where I am.

 

[Wyn A'rienh]

I don't think I've ever been called Madam or M'am. Then again, people tend to think I'm a lot younger than I am. I get Miss a lot, which doesn't really bother or please me.

The one thing that does irritate me to no end is when a waitress calls me hon. As in, "What can I get ya, hon?". Ugh. That drives me batty.

 

[diaglo]

The one thing that does irritate me to no end is when a waitress calls me hon. As in, "What can I get ya, hon?". Ugh. That drives me batty.

you ain't from Bawlmer are you?

everyone is a hon in Baltimore.

 

[loki44]

Not calling me "Sir" will quickly earn you a sharp slap to the face!

Actually, I normally couldn't care less what familiar terms I'm addressed with, unless of course they're being used in a demeaning way. It all depends on the context of the situation and who's speaking.