"Thank you, Sir." - is it regional?

[spidey07]

In all aspects for me "Thank You" is always followed with a Sir or Ma'am. It's either "thanks" or "Thank you, Sir" or "Thank you, Ma'am."

And I'm talking professional and personal circles. Even my best friends we say "Thank you, Sir." "After you, Sir."

Just an interesting poll. Use this map as a guide...
http://usa.usembassy.de/travel-regions.htm

 

[natto fire]

When I lived in Ohio, it was fairly common, and the fact that I work retail might slant that. However, here in New Mexico, pretty much no one uses sir or ma'am. "Bro" is a lot more common.

 

[Martin]

Personally, unless you were knighted by the Queen, I won't be calling you sir.

 

[HannibalX]

In my town everyone uses Sir/Mr. or Ma'am/Miss/Mrs. Some women seem to take offense to being called Ma'am though - they think you are implying they are old and not a "girl" anymore.

 

[sniperruff]

you say sir, madam when its more formal. you say thank you only when someone holds the door for you.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm from CA and I say sir/ma'am when referring to someone of power. Often times, that's the police, a professor, an official (referee), etc. I'm also much more apt to use it when the situation is shaky (ie someone having a bad day, police dealing with an intense situation, etc).

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Martin
Personally, unless you were knighted by the Queen, I won't be calling you sir.

New England, I presume?

Thank you for your post, Sir.

 

[BoomerD]

I'm a Yankee and (nowadays) a Kahleeforneeyan, and I use sir and ma'am all the time.

It's a matter of respect...and a sign of how I was raised.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I'm a Yankee and (nowadays) a Kahleeforneeyan, and I use sir and ma'am all the time.

It's a matter of respect...and a sign of how I was raised.

True, but from where I'm from if you thank somebody then that means they did something for you so there is a certain formality to it. I believe this difference is regional just like other more formal responses in all languages are.

Dankeshon.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I'm a Yankee and (nowadays) a Kahleeforneeyan, and I use sir and ma'am all the time.

It's a matter of respect...and a sign of how I was raised.

True, but from where I'm from if you thank somebody then that means they did something for you so there is a certain formality to it. I believe this difference is regional just like other more formal responses in all languages are.

Dankeshon.

Well, of course thanks carries its own formality, but I tend to even say sir and ma'am to folks working retail...

 

[Greenman]

Always use sir and ma'am, it's nothing more than good manners.

 

[Turin39789]

I rarely say Sir unless I'm being specifically formal; I consider myself polite, and I'm from Louisville KY

 

[2Xtreme21]

Very rarely do I use it. If I were to say it it'd be in a very professional environment after someone higher up than I am on the totem pole has done something for me. It's not impoliteness-- it's just not used here. (PA)

 

[FoBoT]

never heard it before i enter the US Naval service, except on TV
grew up in the NorthWest

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Very rarely do I use it. If I were to say it it'd be in a very professional environment after someone higher up than I am on the totem pole has done something for me. It's not impoliteness-- it's just not used here. (PA)

Ditto for me (WA).

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Very rarely do I use it. If I were to say it it'd be in a very professional environment after someone higher up than I am on the totem pole has done something for me. It's not impoliteness-- it's just not used here. (PA)

Ditto for me (WA).

Odd...I (more or less) grew up in Spokane...but then again, I had military lifers for step dads...

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Very rarely do I use it. If I were to say it it'd be in a very professional environment after someone higher up than I am on the totem pole has done something for me. It's not impoliteness-- it's just not used here. (PA)

Thanks for the input. In KY it is nothing for somebody, no matter what their position from the top/down to say "Thank You, Sir." to somebody WAY below them.

 

[middlehead]

I don't say Sir to random people but I do use it. I don't think I've said ma'am in years, though.

 

[Ika]

Said it all the time in Ohio. I *think* people say it in Philly too, not sure.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Nope. In TN it's "Thank you. Much appreciated."

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Always say sir and ma'am, and yeah, you catch a lot of flack from a lot of women because they don't want to be portrayed as older. I always name my letters to my gf as Miss <insert name here>. Really confused her the first time I did it. Now she just knows to expect it from me.

GA here.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Nope. In TN it's "Thank you. Much appreciated."

Don't forget: Ya'll come back now ya hear?

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Nope. In TN it's "Thank you. Much appreciated."

Don't forget: Ya'll come back now ya hear?

That's the translation of 'good-bye.'

 

[Dirigible]

Rarely use sir. If someone calls me sir it pisses me off.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: Dirigible
Rarely use sir. If someone calls me sir it pisses me off.

Beats "dude" and is far superior to "grampa". "No problem" pisses me off.