do you use the terms "sir" and "maam"?

[pcgeek11]

Just don't say Ma'am to a senator:

In that case he should have used "Hey Bitch".

 

[Muse]

So .... "hey you" is preferable?

Depends probably on who's saying it. It's a pretty girl, yeah maybe!

 

[Aikouka]

I grew up in the north, and "sir" and "ma'am" just weren't things that you heard. So, it's not much of a surprise that I don't use them even though I live in the south now. Albeit, it isn't much of a surprise if I say that I hear them plenty often now. Do I care? Not really. Although, I'm not really a fan of "empty words". Essentially, I don't think that because someone says "sir" to me that they truly respect me or if they say "have a good day" that they honestly care whether I do or not. It's all about empty pleasantries meant to serve as window-dressing and nothing more.

 

[brianmanahan]

I'm not really a fan of "empty words". Essentially, I don't think that because someone says "sir" to me that they truly respect me or if they say "have a good day" that they honestly care whether I do or not.

It's all about empty pleasantries meant to serve as window-dressing and nothing more.

this is a perfect summary of my opinion, better than i had put it

 

[Midwayman]

Only when talking to Aaron Burr, sir.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Yes Sir, I use each daily but not consistently

 

[KMFJD]

lol no

 

[Captante]

I grew up in the north, and "sir" and "ma'am" just weren't things that you heard

I hear them plenty often now

That's because now you're old!

 

[jameny5]

I'm a Northerner. I say sir and ma'am out of respect. I could careless what shape, size, color or race the person is...

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[Mai72]

I said maam to this lady and she snapped back at me. "I'm not a maam." Here is an idea. Don't get too attached to your age.

If you live long enough you'll eventually get old, and die. I get called sir. It doesn't bother me. Who cares.

 

[Captante]

I said maam to this lady and she snapped back at me. "I'm not a maam." Here is an idea. Don't get too attached to your age.

If you live long enough you'll eventually get old, and die. I get called sir. It doesn't bother me. Who cares.

Sorta like people who get upset about another birthday.


Consider the alternative!

 

[Mai72]

Sorta like people who get upset about another birthday.


Consider the alternative!

True.

 

[BudAshes]

In California we say dude, bro, or dude bro.

 

[ewdotson]

I'm a third generation military vet who was born and raised in the south. Suffice it to say, I'm one of those folks who have to make a conscious effort to *not* "sir" and "ma'am" people who don't like it.

 

[Aikouka]

That's because now you're old!

I think it's more that I'm in the south. I mean... I'm not that old... am I?

 

[IronWing]

I think it's more that I'm in the south. I mean... I'm not that old... am I?

You're posting in cyber-Denny's. You decide.

 

[Captante]

I think it's more that I'm in the south. I mean... I'm not that old... am I?

It sneaks up on you!

 

[brianmanahan]

It sneaks up on you!

that's not the only thing that sneaks up on you when you get old

 

[highland145]

that's not the only thing that sneaks up on you when you get old

Boomer ran out of depends again?

 

[brianmanahan]

Boomer ran out of depends again?

moral of the story: don't drink ensure unless you've got depends on hand

 

[BudAshes]

moral of the story: don't drink ensure unless you've got depends on hand

Honestly this could carry over to some of the people I drank with back in the college days.

Maybe depends could open up to a new market, the binge drinker.

 

[jmagg]

I use sir/maam daily, mostly for people doing the thankless jobs, or getting a strangers attention. I agree you get what you give in life.

 

[Fritzo]

I do not. I have to keep a good customer service persona at work, and I've found that those terms make people feel "old." Using the person's actual name ends up creating an equal relationship.

I think the only time I use either word is if I need to get someone's attention. "SIR! THAT CART IS ROLLING TOWARD YOUR CAR!" That kind of thing...

 

[olds]

I said maam to this lady and she snapped back at me. "I'm not a maam." Here is an idea. Don't get too attached to your age.

If you live long enough you'll eventually get old, and die. I get called sir. It doesn't bother me. Who cares.

I reply "Yes ma'am" to my 6 year old granddaughter (to everyone really) to answer in the affirmative. It's just polite.

We raised our now 10 year old granddaughter till her mom could get her shit together. Then the court said she had to go home to mom.

She used to sat please and thank you. From about age 3 she used the term "I would like some of that as well". It was super cute and blew people away. Once back with mom, the other older siblings would comment about how well mannered she was. Of course they were all savages and after 2 years back with them, our baby is becoming one too.

But I have to give mom credit, she is trying very hard. But being a mom is just not in her nature.

But I can be a dick too. Ask anyone here.
I once held a door open for a female as I was walking into a building and she snapped at me: "I know how to open a door". I snapped right back: "sorry, you looked too stupid to open the door."

She was speechless and I was a little embarrassed. Just a little.

 

[Zorba]

It was taught to my kids, and my grand kids. It's also commonly used in the South.
How do you expect to be addressed? Hey you, sup, dude, they, bro, what works for you?

My name generally works well.

If I'm trying to get a random person's attention, sure sir/ma'am. Otherwise, I see no point in it.