"Yes ma'am" and "Yes sir" (company, requirement)

[oneasterisk]

I met a guy to renew a termite warranty at my rental unit this morning. As a habit I called him Sir a few times. I was told to "Don't 'Sir' me, I work for a living like you do" So I called him by his first name for the rest of the inspection. No feelings were hurt on either side...

[vermonter16]

I have always called anyone besides myself - yes sir, and yes ma'am. And lots of times folks (especially men) will tell me that it isn't necessary.... But, I feel it is owed to everyone. Maybe it's my mistake though because I will even speak to teenagers that way..... Oh boy - what kind of time warp am I in? I don't know.

[Tarheelhombre]

I call people sir and mam all the time. Also, because I am very uncomfortable with people serving me, I call people in such positions as maids, cable repairers, and waiters "sir/mam" as a way to balance any classist appearances.

[Teebyrd86]

I am a department manager at a supermarket and many of times vendors and outside sales people call me sir.. they do it after they read my nametag. Makes me feel special

[DeepSouth1]

I was taught to say "sir" and "ma'am" by standing on a couch in front of my dad while repeating, "yes sir, no sir, thank you sir, please. Yes ma'am, no ma'am, thank you ma'am, please". You tend not to forget your manners later.

Manners are what they are - a sign of respect. If the person whishes not to receive that as a sign of a respect, well, then be respectful of their request. But around here and in my house and when my kids leave the house, let's just say that ole' couch has more than one set of foot prints on it. :-)

[jpktch]

Originally Posted by busymomto6

I have children in the school system here, and anytime I hear a child at their schools speak to me in that way, I am always impressed by the child's lovely manners. It immediately gives me a positive impression of that child, and I mentally credit their parents with a job well done. I don't see how you could go wrong with raising a child with good manners, who is polite and respectful of all they meet!

I totally agree! I was raised the same way and I have chosen to raise my son this way as well. People will tell you if it offends them, but you know, that is part of our southern culture and shouldn't our culture be respected just like everyone else's? My son is going into the 10th grade and since he was in pre-school, I have always been told what wonderful manners he has. It makes me proud.

We are moving from the south to NOVA and I still expect him to say it! I used it in my job interviews up there and no one seemed to mind.

Another thing that I found was important, and I was a single mom for many years, is to teach your child to have a firm handshake. Many people are surprised to shake a teenage boy's hand and get a "man's" handshake. In my mind, some things just speak loads about a person's character and those are two that stick out to me.

Congrats on the new baby!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by jpktch

Another thing that I found was important, and I was a single mom for many years, is to teach your child to have a firm handshake. Many people are surprised to shake a teenage boy's hand and get a "man's" handshake. In my mind, some things just speak loads about a person's character and those are two that stick out to me.

We don't do handshakes here anymore. Fist bumps instead.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by jpktch

Another thing that I found was important, and I was a single mom for many years, is to teach your child to have a firm handshake. Many people are surprised to shake a teenage boy's hand and get a "man's" handshake. In my mind, some things just speak loads about a person's character and those are two that stick out to me.

Ya no one likes a "dead fish" handshake

[jpktch]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

We don't do handshakes here anymore. Fist bumps instead.

LOL!

[jpktch]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

Ya no one likes a "dead fish" handshake

Amen! Even as a woman, I have a powerful handshake. It just says loads about you.