moimeme Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 when addressing strangers who are older than you, Americans usually will say "Sir" or "Ma'am" I believe that depends on which part of the US you hail from. Link to post Share on other sites
hoopsy32 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Well, I've always said sir and ma'am... but I suppose it does depend where you are... Link to post Share on other sites
Heidi2 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I hate it when I have to use such formal vocabulary: Sir, miss, mam, Mr., etc. The reason is because I just feel awkward in that I'm treating one as if they are my grandparents or something to that nature. Also, when people address me as mam, or miss, I feel as though I'm an 'old' lady whom although deserves respect would much rather be called something as that of an upbeat type of 'slang' per se. Or if one knows my 'real' name, that would also be beneficial... Link to post Share on other sites
cindy0039 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Heidi - Were you born and raised here in the United States? If so, where? You have a manner of speaking (or writing?) that is kind of different, so I was just curious. As to the sir and ma'am thing, it's definitely something that we're raised with down south where I'm from. It just comes naturally to us. Link to post Share on other sites
subtitled Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 How is Heidi's writing style different? I didn't notice at all...! Also, it says on her "location" thing, that she's from New Jersey. In Australia, you'd be laughed at if you called strangers sir and madam... well not laughed at... i've done it when i worked at the supermarket and had to run after strangers who left things behind, but generally i just avoided it: "Excuse me... [leaving out sir/madam]". HOwever, other than those sorts of situations, it's a bit bizarre. I call my friend's parents usually by their last name "Mr" or "Mrs" so and so.. but they just usually say "you can call me... [ ]". I'm 17 - so at that mid-point where i could do either...still, i wouldn't call my friend's parents by their first name unless they invited me to. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 .still, i wouldn't call my friend's parents by their first name unless they invited me to that's a tough one, because like Cindy, I'm from the south and manners are pretty much drilled into you, especially when you're dealing with your elders. I don't feel quite comfortable calling people by their first names unless they're younger than me, but for the most part, I don't recall being caned by a senior for calling them by their first names! Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I was taught in school to address people by Mrs. or Mr. and if I did not know their name, Sir or Ma'm or Madam, or Miss or Mister. In a work environment it should always be Yes Sir or Yes Ma'm (kinda like the military) so that is what I always did. I've seen that pretty much all over the USA. I've also had someone tell me NOT to call him sir - he didn't like it. Now that I'm well into middle age I most frequently call people by their first name, except for one man at work, from England, and he is a Sir and he is to be addressed as Sir Ian and he's referred to in conversation as Sir Ian. When we bought our house the kids next door called us Mr. & Mrs. and we said they could call us by our first names, but their parents taught them to respect their elders (I hate that - "elders") so they just put the Mr. or Ms. in front of our first names. When I worked in retailing back in Michigan (late 60's to mid 70's) the store manager was addressed as Mr. [Whatever] and management was never addressed by their first names. Is it that way still in retail and the food industry? Link to post Share on other sites
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