Is the word "sir" basically understood intimidation? (person, female, male)
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I think it is. You say "Sir" usually when talking to Authority; in Court, you're supposed to say "Your Honor," but I hear people say "Sir" too (assuming male judge.)
In the South, you're supposed to end every sentence with the word "Sir."
In the Military, you start and end each sentence with that word.
So, since the recipient is the one saying "Sir," is that not understood intimidation?
It's a minor bit of politeness, the way Hispanic language people use "senor," Germans use "herr," and the French use "monsieur."
Brits seem to raise an eyebrow at the use of "sir," but I figure that's because "sir" still has a big social status implication in the UK.
OP, you seem to be confusing courtesy, and in some contexts--deference, to being intimidated. Why that would be, only you can say for sure. My attempts to guess would be that either you have an incorrect understanding of the word, "intimidation", or you have some psychological issue that causes you to frame interactions in adversarial terms.
I think it is. You say "Sir" usually when talking to Authority; in Court, you're supposed to say "Your Honor," but I hear people say "Sir" too (assuming male judge.)
In the South, you're supposed to end every sentence with the word "Sir."
In the Military, you start and end each sentence with that word.
So, since the recipient is the one saying "Sir," is that not understood intimidation?
Oh, good God.
Sir is nothing more than a statement of polite respect, not subservience. If I am calling out to an adult male I don't know, I don't say, "Hey, you" or "Bub." I say, "Sir." And it doesn't matter if they are younger, older, worse dressed, better dressed, whatever.
I'm so tired of people trying to inject power dynamics into what are nothing more than simple courtesies. It makes me wonder how many trivial things affront you on a daily basis.
As far as the highlighted statement is concerned, I'm thinking you have never visited the South, getting all your information from a Dukes of Hazzard marathon on Nick at Nite.
It's a sign of respect or it's a formal way to address a man who you do not know.
What is someone, say a clerk, are they supposed to address me if need be with "Hey bro/dude/buddy"
I was at the store recently and some bagboy kid, he was probably 19 or 20 he was bagging my groceries and when leaving I said "thank you" and this kid comes back at me with "no problem man"
I would have never addressed a man 25 yrs older than me who I didn't know and is also customer of the establishment that I work for with something like that. I'm not up in arms about it, I'm just sayin.
I don't see how that relates to my post, but yes, yes I did.
And my last boss was a female major general.
Because I did serve and I was told to use both regarding female officer at different times. Of course admittedly I was in a combat arm and we did not have many female officers around. But maybe my service does not count as much as yours?
And also my post was even in context to the thread because we were speaking of the use of the word SIR. But nice try trying to show me up.
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