Do you assume someone's gender when speaking to someone you don't know on the phone?

Question

For instance, do you call someone ma'am that's a sir, or vice-versa?

Answer 1

I don't use ma'am and sir cuz that's lame, but my brain just naturally picks a gender. Don't even have to think about it. My mind is QUICK like that. Oh, and I'm even gonna be nice and NOT write how I picture you as a very sissy girly man. :) Joking. Don't get all cyber sad or nothin'.

Answer 2

Yes I use sir or ma'am. In the business I was in just a few months ago I would talk a lot on the phone. One time I just started explaining something after taking them off hold and they weren't there, they had stepped away a second, so I had to explain the whole thing over again. So, when I get back on the phone now I always make sure someone is listening. Sometimes you think a sir is a ma'am or vise versa, but you just play it off as you have the wrong line if you get it wrong. Or you just ask "are you still there?" The customers like it because they feel respected, and I feel professional!

Answer 3

Yeah, I don't even think about it and if the name doesn't clue me in then the voice usually does. I was raised to be respectful so I answer with ma'am and sir. Although, sometimes, even with knowing the name and hearing the voice you still just don't know how to answer. The gender doesn't really matter, I guess it's just the mind's way of personalizing the caller.

Answer 4

I think its common sense!
If U hear a male voice on the other side of the phone-obviously u would address as Sir.
If its a female voice on the other side of the phone-then its obviously "Ma'am"

I suppose that the way it ought to be.!!

Answer 5

Ya. If you hear a mans voice, you'd assume its a guy, and if its a womans voice, you'd assume its a woman.

But that can backfire sometimes

Answer 6

A gentleman sees only gentlemen.