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Old 11-17-2014, 10:39 PM
 
196 posts, read 275,925 times
Reputation: 326

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Is it true that those terms are offensive in New England?

Someone mentioned this on another forum I follow and I am not sure if they were just kidding or I am seriously missing something here.

Oh...and if this is completely false, please don't make fun of me, yes, I can be quite gullible.
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Old 11-17-2014, 10:45 PM
 
176 posts, read 298,684 times
Reputation: 539
Probably only in the Boston Sprawl. I use them all the time, haven't had a sour look yet. I think it's the same idea in many major cities, that politeness is somehow "country", and old-fashioned.

Or it could just be the tendency of southern folks to couch their insults as overly-polite jabs, then becoming surprised when no one takes them at face value any more. I can't think of the phrase " bless you" in a southern accent without my fists clenching anymore.
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Old 11-18-2014, 04:13 AM
 
Location: Central, NH
477 posts, read 899,537 times
Reputation: 543
Not that I've ever heard of. I use them all the time and not once has anyone objected.
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Old 11-18-2014, 05:35 AM
 
Location: Barrington
1,274 posts, read 2,381,482 times
Reputation: 2159
Not offensive, but definitely not as commonly used as the terms are in the South. I don't know any parents who make their kids address them as "Sir" and "Ma'am" up here like I've seen Southern families do. I always thought that was over the top.

I let one slip now and then - 20 years of military service will do that to you....
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Old 11-18-2014, 06:49 AM
 
Location: in a cabin overlooking the mountains
3,078 posts, read 4,373,525 times
Reputation: 2276
If you are a woman, when people stop addressing you as "Miss" and start calling you "Ma'am" is how you know you look old.
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Old 11-18-2014, 07:32 AM
 
Location: near bears but at least no snakes
26,655 posts, read 28,650,295 times
Reputation: 50515
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrugalYankee View Post
If you are a woman, when people stop addressing you as "Miss" and start calling you "Ma'am" is how you know you look old.
Exactly. I've heard men say the same thing about being called "sir."
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Old 11-18-2014, 07:35 AM
 
2,253 posts, read 2,520,103 times
Reputation: 1526
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrugalYankee View Post
If you are a woman, when people stop addressing you as "Miss" and start calling you "Ma'am" is how you know you look old.
I was just telling DH over the weekend how I hate being called Ma'am for that exact reason.

what ever happened to "yes", "thank you", "you're welcome", "excuse me" - and leaving it at that? lol
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Old 11-18-2014, 10:05 AM
 
Location: Manchester NH
2,649 posts, read 3,542,148 times
Reputation: 4100
In this day and age I would say you have been blessed if anyone makes any attempt to address you with some amount of respect so I sure ain't offended if someone calls me sir
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Old 11-18-2014, 11:07 AM
 
Location: MA
1,623 posts, read 1,723,167 times
Reputation: 3026
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveusaf View Post
Not offensive, but definitely not as commonly used as the terms are in the South. I don't know any parents who make their kids address them as "Sir" and "Ma'am" up here like I've seen Southern families do. I always thought that was over the top.

I let one slip now and then - 20 years of military service will do that to you....

My SO who is Air Force and from the south does that all the time. It makes me laugh, but, I know he only means it with utmost respect.
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Old 11-18-2014, 11:11 AM
 
Location: Denver, Colorado U.S.A.
14,164 posts, read 27,213,588 times
Reputation: 10428
Quote:
Originally Posted by in_newengland View Post
Exactly. I've heard men say the same thing about being called "sir."
I HATE being called "sir". I'm "40-something" and no one called me sir until about 2 years ago. I find it to be depressing. One "sir" can ruin my day. I'm not fat, gray and bald, and I don't dress in sweat shirts and stretchy pants, so "dude" will suffice, thank you!
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