Getting tired of 'sir' and 'madam'
Sweetleaf
Veteran
Joined: 6 Jan 2011
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Posts: 34,439
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
1. It is considered to be unequal. Northern states are more egalitarian vs the South and it's considered odd to address someone by these names.
2. It's considered shrill and just sound harsh.
3. They are outdated. When someone addresses me by sir/madam it makes me think they are stuck in the past and in addition implying that I am an old fogy. People in younger generations like my own often find sir/madam to be quite insulting in that manner. Put it this way: if you were a stranger and addressed me by sir/madam I probably wouldn't take you seriously on anything you say nor would I consider doing business with you.
4. Using sir/madam repeatedly in a conversation in some cases can also be rude as it is considered pushing a person's gender into their face. It's like repeating someone's name several times in the same sentence and implies the person is an idiot or inept.
Yes, this post probably comes across as rude itself but there are a lot of people from other states relocating up here who don't bother learning about the local culture and it's getting tiresome. The locals don't adapt to you, YOU adapt to their community. Yes, there are people from Northern states who move south or west and don't adapt to their new home. However, I live up here...you don't. We are discussing the North, not the south or west. Yes, you might come from a community where the social rules are different but that is no excuse to not attempt to abide by what is considered normal up here.
West of the Missippi to the west coast it's not common to use "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing a customer or stranger, particularly when trying to get their attention.
I still like my idea of calling everyone sir.
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We won't go back.
1. It is considered to be unequal. Northern states are more egalitarian vs the South and it's considered odd to address someone by these names.
2. It's considered shrill and just sound harsh.
3. They are outdated. When someone addresses me by sir/madam it makes me think they are stuck in the past and in addition implying that I am an old fogy. People in younger generations like my own often find sir/madam to be quite insulting in that manner. Put it this way: if you were a stranger and addressed me by sir/madam I probably wouldn't take you seriously on anything you say nor would I consider doing business with you.
4. Using sir/madam repeatedly in a conversation in some cases can also be rude as it is considered pushing a person's gender into their face. It's like repeating someone's name several times in the same sentence and implies the person is an idiot or inept.
Yes, this post probably comes across as rude itself but there are a lot of people from other states relocating up here who don't bother learning about the local culture and it's getting tiresome. The locals don't adapt to you, YOU adapt to their community. Yes, there are people from Northern states who move south or west and don't adapt to their new home. However, I live up here...you don't. We are discussing the North, not the south or west. Yes, you might come from a community where the social rules are different but that is no excuse to not attempt to abide by what is considered normal up here.
West of the Missippi to the west coast it's not common to use "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing a customer or stranger, particularly when trying to get their attention.
I still like my idea of calling everyone sir.
My post had a typo. Not common was supposed to be not uncommon.
I believe in Star Trek TNG the standard form of address was sir.
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Haha!
I don’t hear ppl call anyone sir/madam here in Northeast. I moved from the south up here 10 years ago.
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RDOS quiz —
Your neurodiverse score: 107/200
Your neurotypical score: 135/200
You seem to have both ND and NT traits.
In a fictional realm, not so long ago...
Captain: "As to the charge of 'Insubordination', you are awarded a thirty-day suspended bust and forfeiture of pay - also suspended - and if I ever hear of you calling one of my officers 'Pig' ever again, I will reduce your rank and put you in for a less-than-honorable discharge. Are we clear on this, Petty Officer Fnord?"
PO1 Fnord: "Sir! Yes, sir!"
Captain: "Are there any questions?"
PO1 Fnord: "Well, sir ... since I am not allowed to call one of your officers 'Pig', may I still refer to a pig as 'Sir'?
Captain: "I don't see why not. Dismissed."
PO1 Fnord: (Facing the officer who reported him, and snapping his best salute) "And a good day to you ... SIR!"
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