SpeedRacer 1 #26 December 21, 2006 QuoteI throw around Sir freely since most men see it as a sign of respect. Ma'am on the other hand tends to offend women whom are sensitive about their age so I usually don't say ma'am unless they're older than 60. That or they are treating me like I'm much younger than them. THIS is what bugs me! A man can be called "sir" and it's cool. Women gotta make it all complicated. Just what then, is the female equivalent of "sir"? Sir & Ma'am are useful when you're trying to get the attention of someone you don't know. what else are you going to call them? Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
floridadiver81 0 #27 December 21, 2006 me personally..i am in the military food service industry. I never really used it before i came into the military but i find myself saying it now...like everyone else has said...as a relfex action. Sometimes i say it without even realising it. I find myself using it outsdie of work also. Its not very common nowadays and it should be. No one respects anyone else or their property anymore..and its sad. Ah well..i feel like im making a differance in someone's day by saying it..so i choose to. Thats what i think."Age has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge, learning, respect, attitude, or personality." -yardhippie "Fight the air, and the air will kick your ass!!! "-Specialkaye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #28 December 21, 2006 I was raised in the south. Enough said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmaricle55 0 #29 December 21, 2006 Quote say it quite a bit. It is a simple sign of respect, regardless of the person's age. I was also taught saying thank you costs you nothing, but not saying it can cost you more than you will ever know. Being from the south it was expected with any answer as a child. Kept saying it as an adult... never really broke the habit. Muff Brother # 3883, SCR # 14796 ICD # 1 - Pres. Yeah, I noticed and I think it's funny! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #30 December 21, 2006 I usually say mam when some cute young girl calls me sir, so I irk them as much as they irk me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #31 December 21, 2006 (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #32 December 21, 2006 I was raised by a BIG belt.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #33 December 21, 2006 It's a real shame whan a kid gets abandoned by their parents and run ferile with a pack of Belts as their only company. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 874 #34 December 21, 2006 boy howdy.... up until I punched him back anyway....! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Titanman2789 0 #35 December 21, 2006 i only use it when stopped by police. i wont anymore though. the yes sir, no sir thing didnt get me off a ticket last time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #36 December 21, 2006 Quoteboy howdy Do we have to go through that whole rigamarole again? Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #37 December 21, 2006 I was born and raised in Texas and I dont know about anyone else,but common courtesy was a must growing up. If I didnt respect my elders or those of authority then I'd get in trouble with the parents.Proper manners are a reflection of you as a person and of your upbringing and thus on your parents.So dont disrespect your parents with poor manners.If I had kids I'd raise them the same way.It doesnt matter how old someone is I call everyone Sir or Ma'am.My husband is the same,he calls me Ma'am and I'm 13yrs his junior.Its just how we were brought up. Its just a common courtesy as are 'please' and 'thank you' or calling someone you dont know well Mr. or Mrs./Miss instead of using their first name. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jverley 1 #38 December 21, 2006 QuoteI guess my issue is that if it's almost a reflex action, how does that imply respect? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because we reflexively DO respect everyone. Quote Yeah right Yes, a person does not have to earn my respect, but they can lose it.John Arizona Hiking Trails Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #39 December 21, 2006 Yes. I can't really come up with any real reason for it. I was just raised that way. My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #40 December 21, 2006 Thanks everyone. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #41 December 21, 2006 I work in an Emergency room dealing with sick and in some cases dieing people. I try to be as polite as I can, the older patients love it, and it get me points with the nursesI swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #42 December 21, 2006 Yes. I always have. I always will. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #43 December 21, 2006 QuoteQuoteYup. It's the respect thing; it's how I was raised. Now I especially enjoy using it when talking to people who totally wouldn't expect it - like the cashier at the convenience store. What she said. I say these all the time as a sign of respect, but go out of my way for service industry folks. They put up with a lot of shit, so I especially make a point of saying please and thank-you, sir and ma'am to them. It's funny when they're only half my age. Blues, Dave I do pretty much the same...if the latte gal was very nice, I call her ma'am. I call people sir or ma'am if I respect them (note: respect does not require 'like', however, most of the time I respect and like the person I call sir or ma'am). Now then I get crazy looks all the time because I always call my husband 'sir', but that's a personal thing...we were in the army together, but that doesn't have anything to do with it. I respect him more than anyone else; even on the occassion that I don't really like him at the moment...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #44 December 21, 2006 I was raised that way... its just proper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #45 December 21, 2006 Usually to authoritative figures...ie...police officers, judges, lawyers. Also anyone who happens to be a "senior". bobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #46 December 21, 2006 'You had lots of experience of police officers, judges, lawyers.... wardens ? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FIREFLYR 0 #47 December 21, 2006 yes,Because you have a better chance of not getting the ticket. ~J"One flew East,and one flew West..............one flew over the cuckoo's nest" "There's absolutely no excuse for the way I'm about to act" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lug 4 #48 December 21, 2006 It not so much about being respectful as it is about having proper manners and being polite. Personally I address people as “excuse me (mam/sir) or (young lady/young man). This gains their attention with out being uncivil and in turn the lady or gentleman will correct me on how they wish to be addressed. Blue sky New York the number one city for being polite. To bad so sad, London for being number 18, maybe you’ll do better next year. Memento Mori Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #49 December 21, 2006 QuoteQuoteI guess my issue is that if it's almost a reflex action, how does that imply respect? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because we reflexively DO respect everyone. Quote Yeah right Yes, a person does not have to earn my respect, but they can lose it. DING_DING_DING_DING.... We have a winner!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmanpilot 0 #50 December 21, 2006 Quote... but I could NEVER call a cop sir. Why? Should they for some reason be extended a lesser degree of respect?_________________________________________ -There's always free cheese in a mouse trap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites