Referring to people as Sir or Ma'am...

[TinklednPants]

As in, "Yes, sir" or "Yes, ma'am"? Yes, it is somewhat common (everywhere in the US, I think) and it is considered polite and respectful. It is especially used when speaking to some kind of authority figure (e.g. teacher, boss, policeman), but also between employees at a store or restaurant, and the patrons they are serving.

Have not read the thread but..... DING DING DING Winner.

 

[MichelleVW]

I grew up in Indiana. We used these terms to speak to someone in authority. Otherwise we addressed elders as Mr/Mrs unless they had told us to use their first names. Now I live in Florida and my step-kids must address everyone as Miss Tina/Mr Darrell etc. I hate it. The childrens mother still make the kids address me this way even after I have asked them for 6 years to call me by my frist name. I makes me crazy and is disrespectful.

We used Mr. and Mrs. Last name too. I really don't like the Mr./Miss First name thing....sound weird to me and bugs me.

It is totally disrespectful if you have asked them to call you by their first name and they don't.

 

[Buckalew11]

I was raised in the north and wasn't taught to say either one. In fact, my mom hates both. Still, I say it to everyone 9x outta 10. I don't hear it a lot from kids though. My DD uses it but none of her friends do.
I do hear a lot of sweetie, honey, etc. etc. which drives me pretty nutty. LOL

 

[mhsjax]

Here in Tennessee, it is not only considered polite, but it's really kind of expected to say "ma'am" and "sir."

In fact, my kids are considered to be behaving disrespectfully at school if they don't refer to their teachers that way.

Also, I'm not originally from here, so I did not raise my oldest son to say 'ma'am' and 'sir.' This caused a lot of issues when he was younger, and he's learned to adapt. My younger son still has a hard time with it, b/c I don't enforce it at home. Yet at school and pretty much anywhere else, it is expected.

Another thing: if a parent asks a child a question, the child responds with, "ma'am?" instead of "WHAT?!" I think that's kinda weird, but it's just the way it is down here. All of my friends' kids do this.

Even at work, when I'm on the phone with someone, or someone asks me a question, I respond with, "yes, ma'am," or "no, ma'am." I wasn't raised to do this, but I've adapted to the TN culture.

to me is is weird and very disrespectful to answer what to a parent, my mom would have let me have it is I said what to her, just like my kids no better than to say what to me. I have plenty of friends from up north and they don't seem to have a problem with ma'am and sir, in fact I have a friend from up north that is way more strict about it than I am.

I do get so tired of anything being different labeled a "southern thing"

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Also, the OP saw that in a 911 transcript. The idea is that a 911 operator can say that to someone, who is having a really bad and stressful incident.

The use of polite titles can have a calming affect and can help that person tell the 911 operator some vital information, using words can help direct the focus of the person in stress to assist the emergency personnel, and possibly allow them to start performing life saving actions with the assistance of the 911 operator.

 

[Rebelmom67]

I was raised to say "Sir" and "Ma'am" to my elders and to those in authority. I am teaching my children the same way, it is just common courtesy and respect in my book.

ETA: I'm a GRITS - girl raised in the South

 

[Kathymcbain]

It wasn't common when I was growing up, but it is in GA - so we do it!

 

[blana]

In NC, I wouldn't even consider NOT using it. Just flows. Even when the "sir or ma'am" is younger than me.

However, had an older Indian man who I worked with for a while who glared at me one day right after we started working together and said "You said that which is forbidden!", and then stormed out of my cube. I sat trying to rack my brain for about an hour to figure out what I could possibly have said that upset him so much. Then he stuck his head in my cube & grinned & I realized, Oh, he's making fun of me for calling him Sir after he told me I didn't have to....

 

[BuffettFan]

Im in GA.....its expected here.
I say it not only to my elders but to everyone....its just common courtesy.

 

[ginna74]

I was raised in the U.P. of michigan.... SAY YA TO DA U.P. Eh.... full blooded YOOPER here

 

[disney1990]

Just read the full transcript of the 911 call from Michael Jackson's home:



Is this common to use Sir/Ma'am all over the States, or just certain areas?

The last, and only time, I called someone Sir was in school, no Ma'ams though, not here in England, we had to say Mrs/Miss...last name!

I was raised in Maryland, but my Mom is from Virginia, almost North Carolina. I was definitely taught to use Sir/Ma'am.

 

[manning]

I am in my 60's. I was in Washington DC during armed forces day. I shook quite a few young soldiers' hand and said "thank you sir for serving". The look on their faces when they heard "sir"" ......priceless.

 

[MichelleVW]

to me is is weird and very disrespectful to answer what to a parent, my mom would have let me have it is I said what to her, just like my kids no better than to say what to me. I have plenty of friends from up north and they don't seem to have a problem with ma'am and sir, in fact I have a friend from up north that is way more strict about it than I am.

I do get so tired of anything being different labeled a "southern thing"

I label it as a "southern thing" because I have lived in the North and have lived in the South and the only place that it was commonly used was in the South.

 

[pyrxtc]

I stil use it and ahve taught my kids to do the same, along wiht the words "Excuse me please" and "Thank You". It is common courtesy if you don't know someone personally.

 

[sbell111]

I'm not sure about the rest of the country, but.. I was raised in Iowa, although my mom's side of the family grew up in Tennessee, and I was taught to always say sir/ma'am/miss to those I didn't personally know. My fiance's family is from Mississippi, and they took it a step farther. He was raised to address adults that he knew as "Mr. First Name" or "Miss First Name".. his parents' best friends were Miss Rita and Mister Deon. I thought it was kind of unnecessary at first, but I've learned to appreciate the politeness.

Some of my employees do this to me. It drives me crazy, but whatever.

 

[luvmy3]

Not common at all here in NY. I do use it when I need to get the attention of an elderly stranger "excuse me sir/ma'am" but I have never used it to answer anyone as in yes sir/ma'am.

 

[polineedyan]

As far as it being a geographical thing, it may be..I dont expect the military would agree..
We teach our kids to close every sentence..for example not just 'yes' but 'yes, please'..not just yes but yes, ma'am..to adults..all adults. For us, its more of a formality..once they get to know someone we tend to let it slide.
i dont expect my kids to say it to me or my wife..maybe the please and thank you, but i dont make them call me sir.
i do it..they dont always follow my example.

 

[mhsjax]

I label it as a "southern thing" because I have lived in the North and have lived in the South and the only place that it was commonly used was in the South.

As I stated, I have several friends from the north, and they make their kids use it, and they did before they moved down here to the south.

 

[dis-happy]

Another thing: if a parent asks a child a question, the child responds with, "ma'am?" instead of "WHAT?!" I think that's kinda weird, but it's just the way it is down here. All of my friends' kids do this.

We were new southern transplants when I was at my friend's house one day, listening to her teach this concept to her children. She was very gentle, but very persistant....would call to her child (age 3 at the time), child would answer "what?", but then her mom would correct her and say "ma'am?". It took me the longest time to figure out what was going on!!! But I've learned to appreciate southern manners, yes ma'am and no sir, Miss Denise or Mr. Bob. Nothing wrong with politeness!!!


Oh, my favorite phrase (after "bless your heart") is when something is "sweet as pie"!!!

 

[dis-happy]

Off-topic but hence the reason I don't understand why B. Boxer was getting all upset with the Brig. General calling her ma'am - its a sign of respect and politness in the military. She needed to get over herself...

I wonder what would have happened if: after asking to be referred to as "Senator Boxer" the General had said he would prefer it if she could please call him "Sir"!!!