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Does being called "Sir" mean people think you're older?
I was just wondering. In my neck of the woods, its not uncommon for little boys to be called "Sir" and young girls at 16 to be called "Ma'am". Its the custom here, but I still feel odd about being called Sir. It makes me feel old. Do you think in other parts of the country, it means you're an elder? I know that I get called "Sir" by people much older than myself. But this is always usually in service situations- i.e. the grocery store, restaurants, etc.
Sometimes I do get called "Young man". Which I much,much, prefer. What do Y'all think?
Reason: Topic has now derailed completely... Mod review
I think you spend too much time thinking about how people perceive your age. I also don't call anyone sir unless he has been knighted.
I have a tendency to also use sir and ma'am because it is polite. You shouldn't think much of it if you are called sir. Military families have a tendency to use sir and ma'am, as well as in the south, as CheerNotReady said. It's just polite IMO.
Now when I'm called "sweetie" or "honey", then those titles have a tendency to bother me :P Not in making me feel old, just......I dislike them.
You seem to be over occupied about age!
Someone calling a person Sir, is just manners, and a polite title when you don't know the persons name.
Perhaps you would prefer "Oye you".
I'm gonna go with rain_bows -- you are over-occupied with your perceived age.
and add on that I often still get called "Young lady" and "Miss" -- I'm 51 and rode hard/put up wet... so, I don't take those words as anything more than extra air. Manners and customer service... I'm usually 'ma'am' at work, unless someone is sucking up or flirting.
If you are called "young man" by someone older than you -- well, you are younger. If you are being called 'sir' -- it's probably in a customer service situation, or you are south of Pennsylvania. Unless you are the boss (regardless of level), in which case, it's usually either in respect or quiet derision.
Original Post by richmondbread:
Sometimes I do get called "Young man". Which I much,much, prefer. What do Y'all think?
The only person I know who uses the phrase 'young man' is the head teacher of my sons' school, when he can't quite remember which kid is which. (My son is 6...)
The head teacher, on the other hand, is maybe 35, and 'sir' to one and all...
i use "sir" and "ma'am" all the time, and i'm not from the south (although i currently live in the south). it's just a habit i picked up somewhere. i don't pay attention to age when i use it.
I work in customer service and refer to people as "sir" and "ma'am" all the time and this habit has carried over into my personal interactions with people as well. It has nothing to do with age, it is my way of being respectful and trying to be polite.
I am 26 and if I had to choose I would rather be called ma'am than young lady. But I don't mind either way. I know there are no malicious intentions behind these phrases so I don't read into it.
Judging by your recent (numerous) posting here, I think you focus way too much on age. Stop obsessing about how old you are, how old you look, or how old people think you look and just enjoy life!
Young man is generally reserved for kids when you don't know their name. Sir and ma'am and general polite titles for public use.
I get weirded out when people call me ma'am.
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
I thought only Pod called her Ser, and mostly cause he was easily overwhelmed and never knew what to say.
Original Post by amethystgirl:
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
I thought only Pod called her Ser, and mostly cause he was easily overwhelmed and never knew what to say.
I was trying to back her into a corner and you're eff'n it up ;)
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by amethystgirl:
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
I thought only Pod called her Ser, and mostly cause he was easily overwhelmed and never knew what to say.
I was trying to back her into a corner and you're eff'n it up ;)
Me and my logic...
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
She seems to be used to it. Plus, she can probably take on most of those guys.
EDIT: Also women aren't treated equally there to begin with. ;P
Original Post by cptbunny:
Original Post by ignayshus:
Original Post by cptbunny:
Sir is for any age with someone who has a penis.
Miss is usually for younger women and ma'am for older but they can be used interchangeably.
I don't care which I am called.
I was called miss when I was staying at a hotel by the staff and it felt weird.
what if they're a knight like brienne of tarth?
She seems to be used to it. Plus, she can probably take on most of those guys.
EDIT: Also women aren't treated equally there to begin with. ;P
maybe she's just got an imaginary penis big enough to warrant the title...
I see your sir and raise.
