feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I was a yank that went south working in the early 60s. I was impressed as young people were taught to call older men "sir" or mister even if they were the town`s drunken bum. The north lacked that.
How do you feel when a stranger calls you sir
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Stainless44
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FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY GOOD MORNING TO YOU SIR. AM I TYPING LOUD ENOUGH FOR YOU? I KNOW THAT AT YOUR AGE YOU MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME HEARING ME SO I'M TYPING LOUD...NOT SHOUTING...JUST TYPING TO WHERE YOU CAN HEAR ME.
All kidding aside, sir, I don't have a problem with it...but then again I'm not yet old enough where i get it alot...close...but not there yet.
Now get off the computer and go yell at some kids to get off your damn lawn.
All kidding aside, sir, I don't have a problem with it...but then again I'm not yet old enough where i get it alot...close...but not there yet.
Now get off the computer and go yell at some kids to get off your damn lawn.
litenlarry
Member
Depends on the tone of the person calling me sir. As I get older, it is fine with me..I would prefer sir to " How are you guys( refering to my wife and I ) doing? " when wait service at Applebees want's to know if you need further service...
mkk41
US Veteran
Only Officers are called "Sir". All Naval Officers are bast---s!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Beats "pilgrim" or "dude".
MH8675309
Member
Being out in front of people as part of my profession sir or ma'am is automatic and is a sign of respect to folks who's name I don't know. I really don't like it when Im spending money at a business and get called bud. I know there are worse things to be called but as a paying customer it comes across as crude.
mkk41
US Veteran
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania , and that's how I was taught.
I was even taught you do not address elders by their first names no matter who or what.
KCOG
Member
I'm 54. It only bothers me when the 25 year old women at the gym call me sir. Now that is just hurtful.
Exactly. Although close behind that is, "How are we doing this evening?" If I'm in the mood for it, I'll answer, "Collectively? I have no idea. We are fine, how are you?" That usually gets a kick under the table from my wife.
WillP
Member
I "Sir" and "Ma'am" people quite often.
It has NOTHING to do with age. Is has to do with RESPECT.
By the way, 52 is pretty old, sir.
Exactly how I feel. I use both frequently and even say it to my son, niece and nephew when they call me. It's how I was raised and how my son is raised. In this day of people out of control and disrespectful to each other, I find it refreshing when I here people treat others with dignity.
luangtom
US Veteran
I am over 60 now and it does not bother me to be called, "sir". I have called much younger folks "sir" or "ma'am" for decades....being a LEO it was ingrained. Nope, doesn't bother me at all. It is respectful.
Buttugly072
Member
I find it more and more rare here in the south except in rural areas. I always address elders and people in a respectful position(LE or Dr.) as sir. If not i expect my mom to appear out of nowhere and backhand me.Also i find it very very rare for my friends to teach their children to call me Mr.xxxxx opposed my first name as i have taught my son.
Gl and have fun
dave
Gl and have fun
dave
Cooter Brown
Member
Put me firmly in the Sir and Ma'am crowd regardless of age or social position. Like Iggy said I get more than I get and I hope it rubs off. When I was a kid that was how you treated people, especially elders.
Respect has to be earned, but that's a different thing than treating people you meet respectfully. I'll respect you when you earn it as a person--I'll treat you respectfully until you prove you don't deserve it. It's a different use of the same word.
It's sad, but these days in this suburban area I'm pleasantly surprised when the kid at the convenience store or fast food joint calls me Sir--and I occasionally get some funny looks when I say it. Heck, half the time they don't even say thank you. It certainly is a different world around here than it was.
Respect has to be earned, but that's a different thing than treating people you meet respectfully. I'll respect you when you earn it as a person--I'll treat you respectfully until you prove you don't deserve it. It's a different use of the same word.
It's sad, but these days in this suburban area I'm pleasantly surprised when the kid at the convenience store or fast food joint calls me Sir--and I occasionally get some funny looks when I say it. Heck, half the time they don't even say thank you. It certainly is a different world around here than it was.
shamelessinct
Member
I was also raised by a father who demanded that I address my elders as Sir or Ma'am, or as Mr. or Mrs. <insert last name>. Somewhere in their schooling my two youngest were taught that Mr. or Mrs. <insert first name> is acceptable; or just Mister or Miss. Today my ophthalmologist, who is 30 years my junior and usually addresses me as Mr. <last name> looked at my glasses and exclaimed "you scratched the **** out of these, Dude!" I could only laugh.
straightshooter1
US Veteran
I sorta think it's a Southern thing, but readily agree that those posters from the North who use those terms frequently might possibly fit in down here.
It is something I use, Sir and Ma'am, almost every time I am addressing someone I don't know by name. I open the door for a young lady, she thanks me and I say "You're welcome Ma'am." Never had a strange look from the lady at least yet.
It's just being polite, and I don't object at all to being called Sir by strangers. Once I know or recognize them and have any conversation with them, I tell them "I'm Bob."
I think it is important that when using those terms, one's inflection should not be as though talking down to them.
Maybe just treat folks like you'd like to be treated. I think I read that somewhere in some Book or other.
Bob
It is something I use, Sir and Ma'am, almost every time I am addressing someone I don't know by name. I open the door for a young lady, she thanks me and I say "You're welcome Ma'am." Never had a strange look from the lady at least yet.
It's just being polite, and I don't object at all to being called Sir by strangers. Once I know or recognize them and have any conversation with them, I tell them "I'm Bob."
I think it is important that when using those terms, one's inflection should not be as though talking down to them.
Maybe just treat folks like you'd like to be treated. I think I read that somewhere in some Book or other.
Bob
Shoot, I'd be happy if a 25 year old woman talked to me at all...except of course, I'd be unhappy if my wife saw it. THAT would be hurtful.
I detest that practice as well.
I have a 92 year old second-cousin I look after. Her husband died about 25 years ago, and she never had children; my brothers and I are her only family. She's a great lady, lives on her own, has all her faculties, etc. I love being around her: she is a living link to my family history, and just a joy to have a conversation with.
Some months back we went to dinner, and the 20-something waiter kept calling her "sweetie" and talking to her in a tone you would use for a child. Finally, I drew him aside and explained to him that she is all grown up, and doesn't deserve being spoken to in that tone. He apologized and modified his approach toward her.
I call men "sir," and young women "miss." More mature women get a "ma'am." Do those of you who use "ma'am" say it to young women as well? How about an 18 YO waitress?
And I like it fine when people call me "sir."
And I like it fine when people call me "sir."
Alnamvet68
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pineappleshooter
US Veteran
Sir for the menfolk, Ma'am for adult women, Miss for younger (high school age and below) women - that's how I was raised in West by God VA. I work part time in the dairy department of a major grocery chain outside Philly and you would be amazed how many young women (20's) get a big smile on their face when you call them Ma'am.
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