What is the extent of "yes, ma'am/no, sir" usage in the United States? (movies, school)
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Ok TX AR MS LA AL, might be a thing in southern Kansas too
It's definitely a thing in the Carolinas and Georgia as well. For Black folks in general, a similar gesture is addressing elders (65ish and up) as Mr./Ms. So-and-so.
It's definitely a thing in the Carolinas and Georgia as well. For Black folks in general, a similar gesture is addressing elders (65ish and up) as Mr./Ms. So-and-so.
Yea I know “Mr. and Mrs.” that’s normal. T I never hear sir and ma’am up North. Or DMV
I heard it frequently growing up in Georgia. I never said it with my parents, but with my friends’ parents who had transplanted into the Atlanta metro from smaller towns and cities around the Deep South. I heard it in Texas, but don’t recall it much in Louisiana (at least not New Orleans). I do still occasionally hear it in North Carolina. My wife, a California transplant, still gets apoplectic when someone calls her Ma’am— she thinks folks are trying to insult her, despite me constantly explaining they were actually trying to be polite and respectful.
Precisely. It's a southern theme of respect. I have to remind that to some people who takes it as a derogatory slander towards older age/senority.
To some Northern ears use of "sir" or "ma'am" almost falls along the same line as clicking your heels and saluting someone - it is less a gesture of "respect" than a deference to authority. When the person being "saluted" is not a true authority figure, then use of these words sometimes becomes more a form of sarcasm or antagonism, either purposefully given or in how it is received.
"Mister," "Miss (or Mizz)," "officer," "please," and "thank you" work very well as a form of mutual respect without demeaning oneself or elevating another to an assumed level of higher authority.
As we are in America, many have also left the terminology of British royalty ("Sir"), as well as the French "Madame," behind.
To some Northern ears use of "sir" or "ma'am" almost falls along the same line as clicking your heels and saluting someone - it is less a gesture of "respect" than a deference to authority. When the person being "saluted" is not a true authority figure, then use of these words sometimes becomes more a form of sarcasm or antagonism, either purposefully given or in how it is received.
Oh this doesn't smack of cultural superiority at all.
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"Mister," "Miss (or Mizz)," "officer," "please," and "thank you" work very well as a form of mutual respect without demeaning oneself or elevating another to an assumed level of higher authority.
"Please" and "thank you" aren't ways to address individuals. And typically, well-meaning people who prefer to be addressed in other ways will make that known and that settles that issue. Your perception of the usage of "sir" and "ma'am" as some bizarre exercise in self-deprecation is just flat-out weird to me.
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As we are in America, many have also left the terminology of British royalty ("Sir"), as well as the French "Madame," behind.
The joints and sockets in your arms must be in tatters with such reaching.
As a kid growing up in rural N Carolina during the 70s and 80s, if I didn't say yes (no) sir mam to my mom or dad or any elder person, you ran the risk of getting your butt whipped.
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