I was just wondering does anyone on here still use Ma'am &
Sir manners? Or are the fading away? Also what is your view
on people answering Yes Ma'am & No Sir?

I say ma'am and sir once in a great while. I think using those terms are appropriate unless ofcourse you're using them in a sarcastic manner.

No one in my family really makes me say that with the exception of my aunt and uncle. They are from Texas. Now I have no clue what's up with these Texans of mine, but they make me say Ma'am and Sir like, 24/7!!!! It gets so annoying! I don't mind saying it once in a while but.... ugh. Good thing I only see them on holidays.

There is nothing wrong with common courtesy, I think we need more of it! But if someone calls me Ma'am it makes me feel like I'm an old lady! So it works both ways I guess! :lol:

I work part-time as a supermarket cashier and I always address the customers as Sir or Ma'am. I hate being called "Miss" or "Ma'am" though, especially since I wear a name tag (that is, if I can remember where I put my nametag, LOL! :happyface ).

i dont think ive ever sid ma'am or sir..

but dont get me wrong im actually very polite believe it or not...

Originally posted by Blair n' Jo Rock

but dont get me wrong im actually very polite believe it or not...

SURE, Blair.

I am constantly saying ma'am and sir. No one else around me does so at times I feel odd doing so, but I was raised to treat those older than me with respect so...that's what I do;)





ks

Not really. I think it's more of a Southern thing. I have manners, but I just don't say "ma'am" or "sir". My coaches were yelling at me the other day for being so polite! LOL :D

My parents were raise to address their elders as sir and ma'am and that's how they raised me. I don't really say it as much as I used to, but when I do people think that I'm a suck up.

Originally posted by FolFanatic151
Not really. I think it's more of a Southern thing. I have manners, but I just don't say "ma'am" or "sir". My coaches were yelling at me the other day for being so polite! LOL :D


Southern courtesy and hospitality:p




ks

Originally posted by ks



Southern courtesy and hospitality:p




ks

i need to move to the south...gotta get away from all the rudeness and stuff in ny for a lil while hehe

One of our teachers at school really stresses the ma'am sir thingy.
Like if a teacher asks you "Are you finished with your test?" and you say "Yeah" she would say "Yes MA'AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

When we go out to eat my grandparents always call the waiter or waitress Ma'am and sir but the only time I use it is when my mom or dad makes me do something I don't want to then I'm like Yes sir but I kind of grumble it.

Originally posted by Lisa Whelchel Forever
No one in my family really makes me say that with the exception of my aunt and uncle. They are from Texas. Now I have no clue what's up with these Texans of mine, but they make me say Ma'am and Sir like, 24/7!!!! It gets so annoying! I don't mind saying it once in a while but.... ugh. Good thing I only see them on holidays.

LOL

I use them all the time. Doesn't matter if I'm talking to somebody older, younger, or my own age. It's just a courtesy thing. It has been drummed into me since I an remember. I always use it. In fact I used "Yes ma'am" on Lisa just last Saturday when she said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

D

I honestly don't think I have ever used them. There are plenty of was to be courteous without them. And like Newhart Fan pointed out, the first thing I thought of when I read this question is that some people might be offended or hurt if you call them "ma'am" (sign of aging. To me, "sir" seems more universal, since there is no equivalent of "miss" for men, so it probably isn't insulting).

I use my manners sometimes but not a great deal.

I use ma'am and sir every now and then, when it seems appropriate.

I don't say sir or Ma'am....

I really think it is a southern thing, well really a Texas thing. It's not as prevelant outside of Texas as it is IN Texas. Most everybody here uses it.

D

Originally posted by ks
Southern courtesy and hospitality:p


:rolleyes: All you Southerners would die if you heard us Yankees talk

No, never.....................unless I'm in a mud fight or pencil fight or something at school I have to say "YES SIR! RIGHT AWAY SIR!"

Do you think children should answer their parents as Ma'am & Sir?

Originally posted by Lisa Whelchel Forever


:rolleyes: All you Southerners would die if you heard us Yankees talk

LOL :rotflmao: LOL I have heard Yankees talk, all my life.

D
:cheers:

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do you think children should answer their parents as Ma'am & Sir?
NO! Mom and Dad is fine :)

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do you think children should answer their parents as Ma'am & Sir?

I think it's an individual thing. Personally, when I have kids I will NOT have them call me ma'am or say "yes ma'am" all the time. That sounds way too formal. I will still teach them to have good manners and be respectful but I would just want them to call me mom.

I call my parents Mom and Dad. Sometimes I call my dad 'Padre' though. And sometimes Mom becomes Mama. But I never say sir or ma'am or whatnot

Originally posted by Lisa Whelchel Forever


:rolleyes: All you Southerners would die if you heard us Yankees talk


yah prob....lol...there would be another civil war, this time over manners and common curtisy...welll i have said sir at random points in my life like my coach was like got that to us and im like yes sir! it was like a natural reaction it jus was like outa my mouth and hes like did you jus say yes sir? im like yah i definitly did and and everyone was shaking their heads and i was blushing...

I never call anyone that, unless I am being sarcastic.

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do you think children should answer their parents as Ma'am & Sir?

I believe so. Only, try as I might, I just can't bring myself to refer to my Dad as "sir". I say "yes ma'am" to my Mom, though.


I'm trying to make "sir" and "ma'am" habitual. It ain't easy. But I live in the south! Therefor, I am obligated to learn.

I ahardly ever say that. (Only to teachers)

I can think of only two situations where I say mam or sir. One is if I'm trying to get someones attention, say, if they dropped something. I'll say, "Excuse me, Sir" or "Mam" and then tell them what's up when they look my way. I wouldn't want to jsut say "Hey you" or somethng so it works well for that. If you've ever been in a court of law, you have two choices for how to address the judge. One is, Your Honor. I've never been able to spit that out so I opt for, Sir or Mam.

Originally posted by FOLrocks1
I never call anyone that, unless I am being sarcastic.

Jacob,
How can you be sarcastic in saying Ma'am & Sir?
Unless you are talking about the tone of voice you use when you say it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Max Whittaker
[B]

Only, try as I might, I just can't bring myself to refer to my Dad as "sir". I say "yes ma'am" to my Mom, though.

How can you call your mom Ma'am, but not call your dad Sir?

:rolleyes: Don't ask me.

Do any of you think parents would be way to strict if they made their kids call them Mr. & Mrs?

For example if the couples name was Smith.
The dad walks in the son is watching a football game.
The dad ask ,"Son are the (team that's wining )wining?"
The son replies,"Yes Sir Mr.Smith."

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do any of you think parents would be way to strict if they made their kids call them Mr. & Mrs?

For example if the couples name was Smith.
The dad walks in the son is watching a football game.
The dad ask ,"Son are the (team that's wining )wining?"
The son replies,"Yes Sir Mr.Smith."
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do any of you think parents would be way to strict if they made their kids call them Mr. & Mrs?

For example if the couples name was Smith.
The dad walks in the son is watching a football game.
The dad ask ,"Son are the (team that's wining )wining?"
The son replies,"Yes Sir Mr.Smith."

Well,I think it's inappropriate to do so. Strict? No.

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do any of you think parents would be way to strict if they made their kids call them Mr. & Mrs?

For example if the couples name was Smith.
The dad walks in the son is watching a football game.
The dad ask ,"Son are the (team that's wining )wining?"
The son replies,"Yes Sir Mr.Smith."

That seems a little odd to me. There is respecting your parents, and then there is taking it too far. Just because you may call your parents "mom" and "dad" doesn't mean you are being disrespectful. Calling them "Mr." and "Mrs." seems too formal and distant for such a close relative.

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh


That seems a little odd to me. There is respecting your parents, and then there is taking it too far. Just because you may call your parents "mom" and "dad" doesn't mean you are being disrespectful. Calling them "Mr." and "Mrs." seems too formal and distant for such a close relative.
I agree. That sounds to formal and cold to me.

Originally posted by julian bozo
Do any of you think parents would be way to strict if they made their kids call them Mr. & Mrs?

For example if the couples name was Smith.
The dad walks in the son is watching a football game.
The dad ask ,"Son are the (team that's wining )wining?"
The son replies,"Yes Sir Mr.Smith."

I can understand parents having their kids say "Yes sir" because it seems to be a cultural thing. But are there actually parents who make their children call them Mr. and Mrs.??

Originally posted by Lynn


But are there actually parents who make their children call them Mr. and Mrs.??
I wondered that to. :confused:

I pulled up my own thread. I was just curious as to which celebrities use manners when they are off screen? You know any?

This was a thread I started a while back. I just thought was time to bring it back up. Since there are alot of new people.
Same question Do you use good manners?

Originally posted by Lynn

But are there actually parents who make their children call them Mr. and Mrs.??

that would be a little much....but on the other hand, quite a few of my friends call their parents by their first names.


my grandmother beat manners into me...:rolleyes: if she were still alive i probably would be using sir and ma'am
but as it is now the only times i do are when i address my dance instructors and older members of the company as "madam" and "sir"

I don't say "sir or "maam" to anyone,but there's nothing wrong with saying it:D

I use it when i meet new people, or people of importance, but not really too much around family and friends. My boyfriend-like-person uses it all the time, he ever says "yes ma'm" to me.. he's very well mannered.

No. I live in California. Nobody talks like that.

When @ work, I use Sir and Miss to get someones attention. I never use the word Ma'am-- it sounds so old! Im not enforced to say them either by my bosses or parents. Im polite enough already and have respect and common courtesy for others w/o saying Sir and Miss. As for my friends parents.. not for Amandas. I call them by their first names. They dont care, and neither do my parents-- my friends call them by their names.

I've never used Sir or Ma'am but I am polite to people. No one I know really uses those terms and I just never did.

I am 100% for being polite, but I HATE BEING CALLED "SIR"!!!!:mad: It sounds patronizing and condescending.
I never call anyone sir or ma'am. The only people who should be called Sir are Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, or Sir Ozzy Osbourne.

I say "sir" but never really "ma'am."

since i own my own buisness i use sir & maam alot with my customers. but i think by looking at a person you can figure out how to adress them. like i am not going to call a 21 year old maam or sir they would look at me like i was crazy. but an older person yes. :D

I dont use it myself but it gets used on ME alot Me and my Friend Heather have this joke where someone calls me "Maam" and I go "Some Sarah Michele,Jennifer Love, Felicity THING called me MAAM" and she pretty much tells me to get over it (sort of like the whole Will and Grace thing) its pretty funny really

I'm 25 now so I get called Sir alot more than I used to.

wow. This is old.

But I have never used to words ma'am or sir in my life, except to a teacher I had a couple of years ago, we'd all call him Sir. I also call adults by their first names, I don't call them Mr. or Mrs.

3 years later and the answer is still the same. Yes I say ma'am and sir. Pretty much on a daily basis. Doesn't matter the age of the person I'm talking to. This was strummed into me my entire life and I will strum it into MY kids heads as well.

D

I still say yes ma'am/sir and no ma'am/sir. In ROTC youhave to. But isay it because it's polite :)

only when i'm kidding around.

i still say sir to people but i dont call women ma'am b/c most dont seem to like it but my cousin calls me ma'am and hes older than me and youd think he was kidding but hes not

There is nothing wrong with common courtesy, I think we need more of it! But if someone calls me Ma'am it makes me feel like I'm an old lady! So it works both ways I guess! :lol:


:lol: I'll never forget the first time I got "ma'am'd" - I was 27 and thought WTH?? Have I really gotten to THAT age?? :eek:


I'll use both terms myself, but I'll even say "ma'am" to younger women - I usually do it in a lyrical way, with a upbeat, happy, "Thankya ma'am" or something similar.

I hate being called sir. Thats my father's name. :eek:

I remember getting called ma'am over the phone cause they thought I was a girl

i dont think ive ever sid ma'am or sir..

but dont get me wrong im actually very polite believe it or not...
Thats the same with me. :nod:

I remember getting called ma'am over the phone cause they thought I was a girl
Me too. People always think I'm my sister.

Me too. People always think I'm my sister.
people always think i'm my brother on the phone. even my dad does.

I don't hear too many people using "ma'am" or "sir" much these days.

BTW, what is the proper age range to use these words? I ask this because I cringe everytime I hear an equally same-aged person calling me "ma'am." It makes me feel like I am much older than my age. I'd rather be called "miss" instead. That's just me...

I call all my female teachers "Miss", and all my male teachers just by their last name. for example.... "Johnson" rather than "Mr. Johnson"

Anyways, this year all I'm going to have is male teachers, so it doesn't seem like I'll be saying "Miss" very much anymore.



Back to the original question.... the only time I ever say "sir" is when I have to interrupt someone I don't know. However, I never use the term "ma'am", I always refer to women I don't know as "miss".

In New York, it's more like "Who the hell are you and what the hell do you want?" ;)

But, yeah, when I'm working I call customers "Sir or Miss"( I don't call women "ma'am" as much as I used to because I found out they liked "Miss" better") ;)

I don't hear too many people using "ma'am" or "sir" much these days.

BTW, what is the proper age range to use these words? I ask this because I cringe everytime I hear an equally same-aged person calling me "ma'am." It makes me feel like I am much older than my age. I'd rather be called "miss" instead. That's just me...

I don't know about the "proper" age range, but I use it on people of all ages. I say yes sir and yes ma'am to my 5 year old nephew and 8 year old niece.

D

the thing i hate about the word "sir" is that sometimes it sounds like they're saying "sarah" and slurring it a little and i think they're addressing me. i'm always unable to tell whether there was aa slight "uh" sound at the end. if you pronounce the words in your mind you wouldn't understand how they can be confusing, but in real life they really do sound alike.

I remember getting called ma'am over the phone cause they thought I was a girl
:rofl: Thats a shame ma'am.