Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I don't. I didn't grow up using those terms myself so I don't make my kids use them.
Not "yes ma'am" or "no sir" anyhow -- but if you need to ask something of an older person that you don't know, my kids will use "excuse me ma'am" or "sir could you tell me where such and such is".
I wasn't raised to use the words Sir or Ma'am when conversing with my parents;however,back in the day (and I'm old school) you best believe those teachers insisted on it or suffer the consequences I,along with some of my hood,rebel friends suffered quite often
And NO..I didn't raise my children to use those words either but they are very respectful to their elders!!
I don't. I didn't grow up using those terms myself so I don't make my kids use them.
Not "yes ma'am" or "no sir" anyhow -- but if you need to ask something of an older person that you don't know, my kids will use "excuse me ma'am" or "sir could you tell me where such and such is".
Exactly like there's a time and place to use the terms ma'am and sir and that's a good example.
True I live in Phoenix but my parents (and everyone else in Phoenix for that matter) are from the Midwest and South.
Oh, yah .... you're hearing Minnesota Nice, doncha know. Friendly and polite. You betcha. All those transplants from the Twin Cities who wouldn't think of leaving a mess at Culver's.
Last edited by DewDropInn; 07-23-2013 at 09:34 PM..
I don't make my kids say those specific words, but they are taught to use respectful tones with adults and answer with a "Yes?" as opposed to a "Huh?" or "What?".
Oh, yah .... you're hearing Minnesota Nice, doncha know. Friendly and polite. You betcha. All those transplants from the Twin Cities who wouldn't think of leaving a mess at Culver's.
I'm 20 years old but wasn't made to say those words. I don't see the point. Older people are just people, as are younger people. 10, 20, 40, 50, 70... we're all humans.
The words "ma'am" and "sir" do not deliver respect. There are many ways to say things respectfully. What matters is that genuine respect, where appropriate, exists. How that respect is conveyed varies widely.
This is how I feel. I like respectful children and I have some. But ma'am and sir are regionalism.
I don't want robotic kids. "Mom" and "Dad" are fine.
I do not like "mmm hmm", "uh huh" or "I guess", though.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
you best believe those teachers insisted on it or suffer the consequences 
I,along with some of my hood,rebel friends suffered quite often 
