The term "Sir".

minidazzler · 17-12-2011 01:54PM

Lads my own age get called man, men older than 30 get called sir. If I don't know them.

Women are harder to deal with, call the wrong one "love" even as a natural thing, and you could be in a world of pain. But the word is very natural for me to use, and slips off tongue when talking to a woman I don't know.

astonaidan · 17-12-2011 02:04PM

true-or-false wrote: »

I was working in a shop and I still remember the first time a kid came in with its mother and she said "now give your sweets to the lady". I played it totally cool, but on the inside I was thinking "OOOH! I'm a lady!".

Sex Change??:p

ImpossibleDuck · 17-12-2011 02:05PM

I'm 17 and as a general rule of thumb I will address all men older than me as 'Sir'. It's a respect thing imo. Kids have no respect these days

Latchy · 17-12-2011 02:08PM

cloud493 wrote: »

I call every man I don't know, or want to be respectful to, sir, and every woman ma'am, or miss/.

You sir, are a gentleman.

Saila · 17-12-2011 02:08PM

44leto wrote: »

I much prefer Sire or Squire.

al murry in the house, its 44leto!, bootiful briish nayme..

astonaidan · 17-12-2011 02:20PM

I actually was thinking this over, I worked in a shop for 6 years and in a bar for a summer and never once called a girl Maam, it was always "Can I help you their love" and with a guy "Can I help you with anything", Only when I thought about it did I realise thats all I said, Saying that I still call my teachers sir 7 years after my leaving!

Tar.Aldarion · 17-12-2011 02:43PM

Ma'am you're gonna have to calm down.

chin_grin · 17-12-2011 02:46PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9xZ7NcNWLk

Johro · 17-12-2011 02:56PM

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Oh yes, you're right of course. I failed Submission 101.

I think the correct response is 'Oh please Sir... I am so sorry Sir... I'll take my punishment now Sir...' If you were that way inclined.
The obvious response should be 'Shut up you imperious twat.'

Or that may be a little too strong.. I don't know...
Be yourself. That's the way forward.

Johro · 17-12-2011 03:01PM

Dionysus wrote: »

Unbelievably, one Tony O'Reilly, controller-in-chief of the Irish media, actually said this almost verbatim to an RTÉ reporter some years ago when she had the gall to address him as "Mr O'Reilly".

When, his proper title of course, is Wanker McShite.

Latchy · 17-12-2011 03:17PM

Dionysus wrote: »

Unbelievably, one Tony O'Reilly, controller-in-chief of the Irish media, actually said this almost verbatim to an RTÉ reporter some years ago when she had the gall to address him as "Mr O'Reilly".

As Did Ben Kingsley to several people who didn't address him as 'Sir Ben ' which at the time annoyed many other actors including Sir Roger Moore who felt he was out of order .

Wibbs · 17-12-2011 03:24PM

Well Roger Moore is well known for being a sound bloke, so no surprise there

Snowie · 17-12-2011 03:40PM

i was expect this to be about boy racers and honda civics

im disappointed.

Johro · 17-12-2011 04:24PM

'Sir' Cliff. Ffs. I could go on. But I f#ckin' won't.

RichieC · 17-12-2011 04:33PM

I only use it sarcastically..

Susannahmia · 17-12-2011 05:14PM

pragmatic1 wrote: »

What are your thoughts on people calling you Sir or whatever the female equivalent is?

Personally I really, really, really hate being called Sir. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Bar staff bringing drinks is cringey too.

Never move to America. Everyone is referred to as Sir or Ma'am.

kieranfitz · 18-12-2011 03:35AM

Manic Moran wrote: »

Plural is Sergeants Major. And yes, I'm a 'Sir' because military protocol dictates it of my subordinates.

However, it's as good a term as any to use, it's a little more polite than "Hey, you" and I think "Mister" is even more weird.

For the females, I stay military with 'Ma'am'. Not the same connotations as 'Madam,' though it's really the same word.

NTM

Or hey ugly (when addressing any cavalry head.

Susannahmia wrote: »

Never move to America. Everyone is referred to as Sir or Ma'am.

That's why they in vented the phrase "Don't call me sir, I work for a living."

charlemont · 18-12-2011 04:41AM

They address me as Lord..Those peasants and riff raff.

Magill · 18-12-2011 04:52AM

Think its just natural to call customers you don't know "Sir"... what else can you call a customer if you don't know their name ?

Glico Man · 18-12-2011 05:01AM

pragmatic1 wrote: »

What are your thoughts on people calling you Sir or whatever the female equivalent is?

Personally I really, really, really hate being called Sir. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Bar staff bringing drinks is cringey too.

I work in a hotel bar and restaurant and call every customer either sir or ma'am, or miss. Whilst it is in the company handbook to do so, I myself think its polite and courteous as well as respectful. Where possible I avoid using those terms, but more often than not, I will call a customer sir or ma'am.

I am also expected to bring drinks to tables

I hate table service

pragmatic1 · 18-12-2011 06:10AM

Magill wrote: »

Think its just natural to call customers you don't know "Sir"... what else can you call a customer if you don't know their name ?

Comrade.

seanybiker · 18-12-2011 06:36AM

I hate been called sir. Some fella going around for airticity called me sir one day. I felt so old and then said sorry I get me parents.

The term "Sir".

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