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That reminds me of something. My daughter's new semester just started. We were going over the syllabi from that various teachers. One of the sections on each of them is about behavior. Most of them have a section that say the teacher expects her students to use "yes ma'am", "no ma'am", etc. That may seem quaint or old fashioned to some people but I like that our culture here in the South still values manners even in this day and age.
But why is calling someone "ma'am" considered polite? I think it sounds silly. And a lot of people don't like being called 'sir' or 'ma'am' because it makes them feel old.
When someone calls me 'sir', I usually ask them to call me by my first name.
People in the Twin Cities are very polite. They do tend to have a negative view of Southerners, though, from my observations living there.
I've met friendly people from all over and unfriendly from several areas as well. Recently I went to Colorado and met just as friendly people there as I have seen from my own home, Charleston. Conversely, I have visited Connecticut and encountered very unfriendly people there. So, I am sure there are enclaves of friendly and unfriendly people everywhere.
I've met friendly people from all over and unfriendly from several areas as well. Recently I went to Colorado and met just as friendly people there as I have seen from my own home, Charleston. Conversely, I have visited Connecticut and encountered very unfriendly people there. So, I am sure there are enclaves of friendly and unfriendly people everywhere.
The Intermountain West tends to be a pretty friendly place (I vastly prefer it over the Deep South actually, even though I consider the Deep South "friendlier.")
I'm not sure if this is a political question or not, so if you feel it to be something else, please feel free to move it. But I don't think it's a general U.S. question.
My question is - from a cultural standpoint - can somebody from a Northern state, that is any state that wouldn't be considered Southern, regardless of whether it's Northeast, Midwest, or West - become a true Southerner? Or do you have to be born there to qualify?
My guess is that we wouldn't be asking this question about other regions of the country. That being said, there's no right or wrong answer here, and I'm not judging anybody's thoughts - I'm just interested in hearing opinions.
But why is calling someone "ma'am" considered polite? I think it sounds silly. And a lot of people don't like being called 'sir' or 'ma'am' because it makes them feel old.
When someone calls me 'sir', I usually ask them to call me by my first name.
It's the most basic form of etiqutte. It's meant to show respect. That's all. You know etiquette and manners exist simply to make people feel respect and be at ease. At least that's what is intended when 'minding your manners'.
It's the most basic form of etiqutte. It's meant to show respect. That's all. You know etiquette and manners exist simply to make people feel respect and be at ease. At least that's what is intended when 'minding your manners'.
That may be true in South Carolina, but believe me, in California and most parts of the country, being called "sir" or "ma'am" is not important.
In other words, New York is more open-minded and accepting of people who are different.
I don't think it has anything to do with being open-minded and accepting differences though. There are certain customs and ways of thinking in any place, and that holds true in New York as well.
I'm also not saying that Southerners can't be accepting of people from other places in the country and be accepted there (assuming they adapt properly.) I'm more interested in the identity aspect.
I was raised to show respect and sir and ma'am are part of that respect. I appreciate when someone addresses me in that manner as well...
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