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Cross forum posting: Question for people about being called Sir
mashamoto79
Posts: 2,884 Forum Member
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http://forums.redflagdeals.com/people-who-dont-like-even-get-upset-calling-them-sir-1829219/
Above is a Canadian forum, I frequent and I really would love some input on this topic. This is generally a UK based forum and I would like to know how you would feel about being called Sir/Ma'am and if you would ever use it to address someone.
Above is a Canadian forum, I frequent and I really would love some input on this topic. This is generally a UK based forum and I would like to know how you would feel about being called Sir/Ma'am and if you would ever use it to address someone.
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My mother would kill me if I called an "adult" by their first name.
I was sort of with you (although I dont necessarily agree) until "if they're brown". Then you lost me.
I dont think I ever call anyone Sir or Madam. Maybe at work, on the chance Im talking to customers, but thats more by title, Mr, Mrs etc.
The brown thing is a cultural reference. In certain communities you call elders Aunty/Uncle. You aren't actually related to them. It's the same as saying Sir or Ma'am.
If I wasn't on first name terms with someone, i'd avoid calling them anything while still trying to be polite
I don't agree with you but out of interest, in a random situation like talking to another parent on the school run, if you didn't know their name would you address them Sir or Ma'am? In a casual situation, is that amount of formality necessary?
I thought you meant this was about addressing titled people as Lady x or Sir y . I would never do that anyway.
Yes - when i worked in pubs and shops, if a man was the next customer my usual first address would be "Yes, Sir, how can i help?".
Don't ask me why, but i didn't say Ma'am to women, it was "Yes please, how can i help?".
Cultureman (aged 57 years).
Other than that I have no problem with it. I most often get it from non-native English speakers just trying to be polite. Also sometimes from people working in hospitality type jobs like waiters/waitresses, bar staff and even the odd bouncer.
Only time I'd use them is if I was writing a formal letter. Not sure if it's still the done thing, but I still start those with "Dear Sir/Madam" if I don't know the name of the person receiving it.
During my school years however it was expected to address all male teachers as Sir, but then this was a time when discipline still existed and teachers ran the schools...not the kids!
*Well they would be if I had any.
I've adopted the affectation.
I see it more as playful gallant civility rather than servile obsequiousness
(Obsequiousness, another word I can't pronounce
pmsl brilliant!
...Your Majesty.
In the school where I work, the pupils are still expected to call teachers and other staff Sir or Miss and it's just a normal comprehensive. Staff also call each other Sir or Miss - obviously in front of the kids but often in the staffroom too just out of habit (and it says the embarrassment of not knowing everyone's name when there are over 100 members of staff)
In general I wouldn't like to be called Madam though, I use it as a derogatory term (albeit jokingly) for my nieces when they're being a pain.
The first time it happened I was about 22 and nearly stopped in my tracks from surprise. I remember thinking later - 'oh, i was wearing a suit'.
And that's what it's all about really - hierarchy.
Our greatest transatlantic export.
I'm with you there.
Mine too. We had to rise from our seats whenever a teacher came into our classroom as well. After addressing male teachers as Sir all through secondary school, I called my boss at work Sir for a while afterwards until I learnt to stop doing it !