zargof

OK so my wife is from the South and was taught to say "Sir" and "Ma'am" as a sign of respect to her elders. But I feel this is somewhat subservient as I come from a military family, so to me Sir and Ma'am imply superiority, and I was brought up to treat everyone as equals regardless of age. I'm sure if I ever called anyone in my family Sir I would get reprimanded for it. So I was wondering is this just a cultural thing or am I just uncouth? I suppose both is possible as well.

Mallory

There are loads of "Sir this, and Lady that," in Britain. How do you address them? Are they more special human beings because they were given or inherited, a title?

Or is that different?

Tracym

I think it depends upon the part of the country.

In the south - they do that.

Yankee 'ol me would feel the same as you do.

Ray

I would have said more politeness
I know a few Sirs and Ladies even a Lord
In a public setting I always use the title...in a private setting
just their real name.. ..

One daughter of a princess I know ..has no title because her dad
refuse an Earldom....

kins

I think Sir and Ma'am are just ways of being polite - they get used up here in Maine. I know my husband uses them at work and I've been called Ma'am.

Jerseygirl

I actually like the term Sir, Ma'am or Miss being used...it sounds polite which is very refreshing these days.

another bloody yank

You're reading too much into it.

English Muffin

Me too, it's something that just doesn't happen in the UK and I kind of like it.

Jerseygirl

A few months ago I was in M & S's foodhall in Manchester...after paying the cashier said 'Thank you ma'am'. It was then I realised he was American.

another bloody yank

How did a Yank end up a supermarket cashier in Manchester?

tamms_1965

Where I grew up (southern Ohio) it was used mainly by students to address their elders (esp. teachers, ministers, your friends' parents, etc). You were thought of as being polite and "brought up right" if you addressed them this way. The way you conducted yourself in public was considered a reflection of your family.

Jerseygirl

No idea...I suppose he could have been a student working in his spare time...he looked in his 30's though. He was from Texas.

Rete

Sir and Ma'am is a southern form of address to one's elders and yes, elders are to be considered "superior". So your issue again is?????

My grandson, age 30 months, is already being taught to address his elders as sir and/or ma'am. My son-in-law calls me "ma'am"

I don't go along with the equality thing unless it is in terms of social opportunities.

tamms_1965

What she said.

Rete

I have been known to tell sales people, during telephone calls and in person, "Excuse me, but I do not recall giving you permission to address me by my first name." My thought is: If you want to sell me something then be polite and address me as Ms. Wilson or under your breath "bitch" but do not assume you, who are probably 30 years younger than I am, have the right to address me by my first name.