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

[Mai72]

I still say it. I've also been called sir. People who get upset about the word sir/ma'am are too wrapped up into their identity as being a young person. Guess what? If you live long enough you will get old. Lose the ego.

It's just a word. It depends on how you perceive it that gives it power.

 

[IronWing]

I do use sir and ma’am. I also hold doors for people (except elevator doors).

 

[stargazr]

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.

There are parts of the country where it apparently is still being taught, at least more recently than 100 years.

 

[brianmanahan]

There are parts of the country where it apparently is still being taught, at least more recently than 100 years.

probably just the south

 

[mopardude87]

probably just the south

Saw it bunches down in Arkansas on my 6 year detour through my own personal hell. People were all kinds of friendly down by Hot Springs, they would wave to you if you were sitting outside. Bunch of nice people.

 

[IronWing]

Brian didn't care for sir
Vestigial of yester yer
As for ma'am,
He didn't give a damn
Even his dog thought him a cur.

 

[brianmanahan]

Brian didn't care for sir
Vestigial of yester yer
As for ma'am,
He didn't give a damn
Even his dog thought him a cur.

 

[Greenman]

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.

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?

 

[brianmanahan]

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?

just "hi" or "hey"

"hello" if they want to be a little more formal, or if they know my name and want to be really fancy then "hello mr. manahan"

i told my nephews and nieces they can drop the "uncle" title so they just call me by my name, as our family has done with uncles and aunts for a few generations

 

[Ajay]

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.

Same with my Dad. Never forget the time some puertorican guy's car broke down outside our house. My dad kept addressing him as sir - I swear that guy grew six inches taller that day.

 

[BoomerD]

Sir, yes sir!

 

[Captante]

just "hi" or "hey"

"hello" if they want to be a little more formal, or if they know my name and want to be really fancy then "hello mr. manahan"

i told my nephews and nieces they can drop the "uncle" title so they just call me by my name, as our family has done with uncles and aunts for a few generations

May I refer to you as "Chief" ?

 

[mopardude87]

May I refer to you as "Chief" ?

Oh man that show has no limits, if they don't poke at all the stupid shit like this virus and the way people been acting then i would be surprised.

 

[highland145]

Sir, yes sir!

Bet your DI didn't go for that.

 

[Micrornd]

I still use sir and maam. Hold the door also. I give the "nod" too.

 

[pmv]

I find when being called 'sir', I hear it with an undertone of aggressive sarcasm.

I'd feel weird at using either 'sir' or 'maam' when talking to someone else, unless I was in the military and they were a superior officer. It would just sound to my own ears like I was being sarcastic.

Worst is when someone I'm pretty sure is younger than me calls me 'young man'.

 

[mopardude87]

I find when being called 'sir', I hear it with an undertone of aggressive sarcasm.

Like this?

 

[olds]

Of course. I am not some backwoods cretin.

 

[kn51]

Use all the above, including "Miss" which is a judgement call on the lady's age. Part of me sort of cringes when I pull out the maam card. But what are you supposed to do? Scare the heck out of someone tapping them on the shoulder when you notice they dropped a credit card?

I probably get called "dear" about the same as "sir".

 

[brianmanahan]

Of course. I am not some backwoods cretin.

you chose to move too far south

once you get south of rt 70, you're basically in "deliverance" in real life

 

[brianmanahan]

But what are you supposed to do? Scare the heck out of someone tapping them on the shoulder when you notice they dropped a credit card?

you can just say "excuse me" without putting a title on there at all.

 

[feralkid]

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.

Like anyone could even know that.

 

[brianmanahan]

Like anyone could even know that.

easy, i've already looked into it for myself

 

[snoopy7548]

Nope. I think I have used ma'am once or twice, though. If I need to get someone's attention, it doesn't matter what age they are, I just say "Excuse me." Otherwise, making eye contact and asking or telling them something in a polite tone/manner is always enough.

 

[kn51]

you can just say "excuse me" without putting a title on there at all.

Odd, saying excuse me pretty much says they are in your way.