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I'm from South Carolina and I always say "please" and "thank you". I usually say "I'm gonna get the sandwich, please."
You may not think it's a big deal but those kids who say "sir" and "ma'am" are probably going to get a job over someone who says "yeah".
I didn't say "yeah" was proper; I believe I said "yes" would be better, but "yes ma'am" is not needed in my opinion. I agree that answering with "yeah" on a job interview or any time is bad, but so is not being able to speak the English language properly. That is far worse than not saying "ma'am" and "sir".
No, sir. I ain't never worked in management before, but I worked in one of them stores." How would that sound in an interview?
Also, I didn't say that everyone doesn't say "please" and "thank you" either. I did say it was a rarity; maybe that was too strong a word. It isn't said like it should be anymore though.
I just have to clarify. In my experience, and I am a native Southerner, there are two distinct and opposite uses for the phrase 'bless ____ heart'. If you are having a conversation where you are discussing someone who is not present, then 'bless his heart' can be loosely translated as: He made a pretty stupid decision. What a fool. However, if someone says it to YOU-- and I'm assuming you are reasonably accurate at reading tone and body language-- then they are more than likely really trying to offer some support. it loosely translates to: I feel sorry for you. Not necessarily what I like to hear, but not vicious either.
I just have to clarify. In my experience, and I am a native Southerner, there are two distinct and opposite uses for the phrase 'bless ____ heart'. If you are having a conversation where you are discussing someone who is not present, then 'bless his heart' can be loosely translated as: He made a pretty stupid decision. What a fool. However, if someone says it to YOU-- and I'm assuming you are reasonably accurate at reading tone and body language-- then they are more than likely really trying to offer some support. it loosely translates to: I feel sorry for you. Not necessarily what I like to hear, but not vicious either.
Actually, when it is being said to me, I take it the way you do.
I just have to clarify. In my experience, and I am a native Southerner, there are two distinct and opposite uses for the phrase 'bless ____ heart'. If you are having a conversation where you are discussing someone who is not present, then 'bless his heart' can be loosely translated as: He made a pretty stupid decision. What a fool. However, if someone says it to YOU-- and I'm assuming you are reasonably accurate at reading tone and body language-- then they are more than likely really trying to offer some support. it loosely translates to: I feel sorry for you. Not necessarily what I like to hear, but not vicious either.
This is exactly right.
More often that not, I use it as an expression of sympathy and/or commiseration.
I just got this email from a Texan ex co-worker of mine so for what it's worth regarding "bless your heart"........
A very gentle Texas lady was driving across a high bridge in Texas one day. As she neared the top of the bridge, she noticed a young man fixin' (getting ready) to jump. She stopped her car, rolled down the window and said,
"Please don't jump; think of your dear mother and father."
He replied, "Mom and Dad are both dead; I'm going to jump."
She said, "Well, think of your wife and children."
He replied, "I'm not married and I don't have any kids."
She said, "Well, remember the Alamo ."
He replied, ''What's the Alamo?''
She replied, ''Well bless your heart, just go ahead and jump, you dumb (I removed this word) Yankee''.
I just got this email from a Texan ex co-worker of mine so for what it's worth regarding "bless your heart"........
A very gentle Texas lady was driving across a high bridge in Texas one day. As she neared the top of the bridge, she noticed a young man fixin' (getting ready) to jump. She stopped her car, rolled down the window and said,
"Please don't jump; think of your dear mother and father."
He replied, "Mom and Dad are both dead; I'm going to jump."
She said, "Well, think of your wife and children."
He replied, "I'm not married and I don't have any kids."
She said, "Well, remember the Alamo ."
He replied, ''What's the Alamo?''
She replied, ''Well bless your heart, just go ahead and jump, you dumb (I removed this word) Yankee''.
I didn't say "yeah" was proper; I believe I said "yes" would be better, but "yes ma'am" is not needed in my opinion. I agree that answering with "yeah" on a job interview or any time is bad, but so is not being able to speak the English language properly. That is far worse than not saying "ma'am" and "sir".
No, sir. I ain't never worked in management before, but I worked in one of them stores." How would that sound in an interview?
Also, I didn't say that everyone doesn't say "please" and "thank you" either. I did say it was a rarity; maybe that was too strong a word. It isn't said like it should be anymore though.
On a personal level, I disagree. There are rude people who speak English properly and there are also nice, polite people who butcher the English language.
I'm not sure why teachers making your children say "yes ma'am" would make you angry. Would you be angry if she made them say "thank you"? No, because in America and the world in general it is the polite thing to say in our culture. It's the same with "sir/ma'am". You were in The South and that is part of what the community expects.
Earlier you mentioned parents reprimanding their children and then saying "what do we say?". I'm not sure how this is worse than a parent yelling at their crying kid and the child not saying "yes sir/ma'am".
I don't know why you would be offended by being called "ma'am". It's just being polite.
Its the same everywhere, they are still screwing you but you dont think so much about it because they are courteous.
Well, wasn't that profound?
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I did say it was a rarity; maybe that was too strong a word. It isn't said like it should be anymore though.
