you called somebody sir but then realised they were infact a lady or visa versa?? either because they had their back to you or looked like the opposite sex?
2006-09-21 09:30:52 · 50 answers · asked by lilbex87 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Cringe, turn away sniggering then get out my mobile and laugh about it with my friends!! :o)
2006-09-21 09:33:26 · answer #1 · answered by doodlenatty 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I hate when this happens. If their back was to you, simply apologize and say "Oh, I'm sorry! Can I help you ma'am?" Or try to pass it off as though you were talking to someone else.
If you were looking at their face when you said it, remember that it happens to them all the time. If they truly minded, they'd do something about their appearance.
And don't forget that sometimes they WANT to look like the opposite sex. They could be a transsexual - doctors require them to live as the opposite sex for an entire year before having sex change surgery. So, they could look like a man but sound like a woman.
2006-09-21 09:36:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we have all done that. Make lite of it say excuse me. And continue the conversation. Sometimes if your in the retail field of sales it becomes habit to say sir. But everyone makes a mistake. Some woman voices sound like a man and some woman look like a man. It's a toss of the dice at times. Don't sweat it.
2006-09-21 09:44:11 · answer #3 · answered by purrfectsandcastle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've done that more than once...
Woman walks into the business where i was working and i referred to her as sir 3 or 4 different days. The last time her brother was with her & bitched me out. I was speachless lol what do you say? i honestly thought she was a man.
2006-09-21 09:34:43 · answer #4 · answered by Valient25 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've done that..they didn't say anything but give me a weird look. It was awkward and I've realized that many people can be mistaken for the opposite sex, so to avoid the situation I don't use either if I really have to I'll say "HEY" .
2006-09-21 09:33:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once we were in a buffet line and an older lady with real short hair and a masculine appearance told my friend "look, I saved some of the wings for you". My friend said "thank you sir"; she replied "I'm no sir" and my friend quickly replied back "sorry mister".
I almost died laughing.
2006-09-21 09:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by Irish Eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I called someone sir and then she turned round and I realised it was a lady I'd say "Phew that was lucky for a minute there I thought you were a woman. But no woman could be that butt ugly eh?"
2006-09-21 09:33:40 · answer #7 · answered by Warlock Fiend 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they prob didn't notice in the first place although hover the phone at work I've called many women sir and vica versa i just pretend i haven't or make out like i was speaking to a customer most don't mind/notice
2006-09-21 09:38:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
id say well tough **** if ur a girl but u look like a tomboy dyke. why is that anyway ? some gorgeous females deliberately grow guy hairstyles , dress in baggy trousers, and one wit really gets on ma goat, they wear boxer shorts over the trousers yeuckkkkkkk man so revolting to see with the naked eye. as if thats bad enuff they still love cuddling guys like they fancy them - fecking dont know who or what they wanna be hof the time.
2006-09-21 09:42:04 · answer #9 · answered by gerryhattrick2020 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply say "Oh I am sorry and use the other title (sir or ma'am)." NO reason to worry too much over it a simple apology should do fine.
2006-09-21 10:30:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did that yesterday at work I played it off she did not say anything so I left it alone, but this mourning I made sure I did not make the same mistake.
2006-09-21 09:35:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋