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As a child, it was pretty much drilled into me that I should respect my elders. It seems as if everytime I try to be polite and formal to strangers by addressing them as Sir, Ma'am, Mister "Jason", or Miss, they prefer not to be addressed that way, but instead their first name. It becomes a habit that's hard to break for me.
If something like this was supposed to sound, polite, formal and professional, why do people prefer not to be addressed that way?
As a child, it was pretty much drilled into me that I should respect my elders. It seems as if everytime I try to be polite and formal to strangers by addressing them as Sir, Ma'am, Mister "Jason", or Miss, they prefer not to be addressed that way, but instead their first name. It becomes a habit that's hard to break for me.
If something like this was supposed to sound, polite, formal and professional, why do people prefer not to be addressed that way?
Because much of that is regional - especially the "Mister Jason" or "Miss Mary" - which I cannot imagine a grown adult using toward another adult. I personally find it very awkward from anyone other than a very small child. If someone is going to address me formally, I'd prefer Miss Jones/Mrs. Jones.
Beats me. It is an honorific, spoken with the specific intent of being respectful.
So if you're getting bent out of shape because someone calls you ma'am or sir, then you are being petty. I mean, the world could use a bit more politeness and respect, if you ask me, in whatever form it takes.
In the south it is still considered proper to call your elders either Mrs. Smith or Miss Mary, Mr. Jones or Mr. Bill. Especially with the very elder, I would say it is very common. I have not heard anyone object other than women who think they are too young to be called Ma'am. They need to get over themselves.
Because they lack social graces and prefer to attack people who are behaving politely, as they were taught. My understanding is that they think it makes them sound old, but believe me, as a middle aged woman I am more annoyed when folks call me "Miss," under the mistaken impression that I will be flattered but darned if I'm going to say anything, b/c logic tells me they're doing so as to take the safer course.
As a child, it was pretty much drilled into me that I should respect my elders. It seems as if everytime I try to be polite and formal to strangers by addressing them as Sir, Ma'am, Mister "Jason", or Miss, they prefer not to be addressed that way, but instead their first name. It becomes a habit that's hard to break for me. If something like this was supposed to sound, polite, formal and professional, why do people prefer not to be addressed that way?
There are many regional differences. In the north, calling a woman Ma'am means that she is "an old lady". I am in my 60s and I am still (sort of) insulted when someone calls me Ma'am.
Frankly, I prefer to be called by my actual name, Ms. 2626.
I always laugh to myself when someone says to my hubby, "Do you prefer to be called James or Jimmy?" at the doctor's office and he responds "I prefer to be called Mr. Smith" and they look at him with a shocked expression.
Last edited by germaine2626; 05-17-2015 at 02:55 PM..
I've never seen anyone be annoyed. On the other hand, you can NOT be annoyed, yet still prefer to be called by your first name. Then you say thank you.
Ditto on the regional differences. I understand it's considered polite and good manners, but in others it can be a tad insulting. At least where I live, people are very informal, and call each other by their first names, regardless of age. I do teach my kids to refer to elderly people as Ms. or Mr., and then let the person correct them if they prefer to be called by their first name.
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