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

[brianmanahan]

someone was giving me crap because they think if you don't say "sir" and "maam" when addressing people then you're not being polite.

i think they just sound antiquated and weird. nobody has said these things where i live for 100 years, my great-grandmas never even used those words.

if you still use them, why?

 

[highland145]

Up bringing and manners.

Why? I might beat your ass if you say "Hu" to my Mom in the teller line.

Pretty sure the local code of conduct would let me do the same regardless.

 

[highland145]

Old people story: My Dad always said "Sir/Ma'am" even when the person he was talking to was way younger and he had no reason to do so.



....

 

[pcgeek11]

I still do Sir and Maam and I'm 65... My son also was brought up to say sir and maam and still does.

I have noticed an extreme drop off of the use of sir and maam with the younger generation.

 

[brianmanahan]

Up bringing and manners.

Why? I might beat your ass if you say "Hu" to my Mom in the teller line.

Pretty sure the local code of conduct would let me do the same regardless.

"hi" or "hello" is a perfectly good greeting though, nothing more is needed IMHO

the few times people have called me sir were awkward and i did not enjoy it

 

[OccamsToothbrush]

You can't use sir and ma'am without knowing how the person you're addressing self-identifies. "Sir" could trigger some people more than "hey you" would. It's a great time to be anti-social. Try not to talk to people you don't know and when forced to do so use a generic "Yo" so they don't get the mistaken impression that you care what they have to say.

 

[pcgeek11]

You can't use sir and ma'am without knowing how the person you're addressing self-identifies. "Sir" could trigger some people more than "hey you" would.

Is this a comedy post?

 

[OccamsToothbrush]

Is this a comedy post?

Sadly, no.

 

[pcgeek11]

He may be a pussy, but he is not a Ma'am.

 

[highland145]

Sadly, no.

Yeah, that is a setup. Otherwise, suck it.

 

[highland145]

I still do Sir and Maam and I'm 65... My son also was brought up to say sir and maam and still does.

I have noticed an extreme drop off of the use of sir and maam with the younger generation.

65?

Dayum.

😀

 

[pcgeek11]

65?

Dayum.

😀

I know, right.

 

[highland145]

"hi" or "hello" is a perfectly good greeting though, nothing more is needed IMHO

the few times people have called me sir were awkward and i did not enjoy it

Greeting? True.

Is that all you need so csr's know what you need?

Lololl...no.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I think it really depends on the context. In a customer service situation I might use it, in a normal conversation no. It feels weird.

 

[highland145]

@pcgeek11

Dare your ass to drive across the state for dinner.

:Colbert;

We have 125 cases per 40k peeps.

Dare.

 

[shortylickens]

yes.

 

[Spacehead]

I think it really depends on the context. In a customer service situation I might use it, in a normal conversation no. It feels weird.

I'd have to agree with that. I never use either but i'm not in sales, where i probably would use them & is about the only time i hear anyone use them.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I use it. Social constructs can be a good thing and it costs nothing. I've always called it playing the game. I discovered at an early age that playing the game kept me out of a lot of trouble.

 

[Greenman]

someone was giving me crap because they think if you don't say "sir" and "maam" when addressing people then you're not being polite.

i think they just sound antiquated and weird. nobody has said these things where i live for 100 years, my great-grandmas never even used those words.

if you still use them, why?

They are an expression of respect. Proper manners are the grease in the gears of society, and are sadly not taught to our young.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I do use those terms, but not always. I'm less likely to use them with direct relatives, close friends, or everyday coworkers. I feel it's more formal, and use it when interfacing with people I don't know, or may only speak to during job related duties but don't work with on a regular basis.

I know that it's different everywhere you go. There's a Florida transplant that constantly calls me sir. I see this person on a semi regular basis. I told her stop calling me sir at the end of every sentence, it's not how we do things in my area . At the end of our conversation is fine, but constantly just becomes irritating.

 

[WelshBloke]

Nah, not really a British thing mate.

 

[lxskllr]

Sometimes, but more often than not, no. I handle it by talking to people like I've always known them, and we're equals. I'll use sir/ma'am if I'm calling to stranger in a public place, like seeing someone drop something at the store. That's gets everyone's attention, and the person I'm trying to contact will notice.

 

[mopardude87]

Oh yes when someone is nice to me, i certainly will say yes sir no sir yes maam no maam. Gotta give respect to get it though with me. I can show gratitude when needed

 

[ch33zw1z]

Oh yes when someone is nice to me, i certainly will say yes sir no sir yes maam no maam. Gotta give respect to get it though with me. I can show gratitude when needed

I don't hold this against others. You get what you give, a simple display of respect can disarm and diffuse an otherwise tense or escalating situation

 

[brianmanahan]

They are an expression of respect. Proper manners are the grease in the gears of society, and are sadly not taught to our young.

in the cases where someone has called me sir, i felt that it conveyed no respect other than a silly title.

and in the case of sir or maam, it stopped being taught to young people over 100 years ago.