Do you feel uncomfortable to address somebody "Sir" or "Madam"?

Question

I know it's formal speech... but to me feels a little humuliating.

Answer 1

not uncomfortable at all. I'm Southern and good manners are taught and expected. Please, thank you, excuse me, God bless you, hello, how are you?, and a smile

Answer 2

In most areas of the southern United States, addressing someone as "Sir or Ma'am" is common, everyday, ordinary courtesy, not formal speech.

In this part of the country, you'd be "humiliated" for not doing it. If the person you offended knew your Mamma (and they probably would) she might get a phone call tactfully reporting that you'd neglected your manners. If the offended party didn't know you they'd leave your presence wondering what sort of orphanage you were raised in that didn't teach you any manners at-all. And you must have been raised in an orphanage because no self-respecting mother would bring up such an unmannerly daughter. (What in the world will become of such a child?) :)

Answer 3

I don't think I've ever addressed anyone as "madam" because today most people say "ma'am" so you may want to try that. Also, if you are being formal with that person they should be just as formal with you. Sometimes people such as doctors call you by your first name and then expect you to address them formally. Perhaps that is your problem, you're being formal and the person with whom you're talking isn't. Next time if someone calls you by your first name call them by their first name. If they seem surprised or raise their eyebrows at you just say, "Don't look surprised, you're the one who decided we were on a first name basis."

Answer 4

No.

In my part of the country, members of my generation (I'm 35) were raised to address adults of any age as 'sir' and 'ma'am' (short for madame). We were raised to believe that this is the proper way to address adults of any age, whether we ourselves are children or adults.

That is the way I address people. It is very hard for me to stop calling someone sir or ma'am, even when they keep asking me to stop. It is ingrained, and I keep forgetting to not say it.

I have read a few people here who say they actually get offended when people refer to them by those titles. I can't undertsand that at all. They are terms of respect, and imply nothing about age, except that you are an adult.


Be well.

Answer 5

I'm never comforatble saying Madam, however Sir is ok as long as it isn't expected. For example if a stanger dropped their wallet I would give it back saying "excuse me Sir you dropped this" but if I had a lecurer who wanted me to call him Sir that just seems wrong. The wallet sir is just being polite, the lecurer seems to want confirmation of authority.

Answer 6

I don't but i feel uncomfortable when they call me ma'am. I mean, i'm just fifteen and am not used to being talked to like that. Maybe it's just that i'm not really used to being addressed to like that. But if it was me i wouldn't feel uncomfortable addressing a person that. =) It would be a great sign that you respect them.

Answer 7

Hi, I think all that is from a age long past. I have no desire to be called sir because we are all equal.

Answer 8

Not at all. I do it all the time, except I don't use madam. I use ma'am instead. It's polite and if you do it, you'll eventually get used to it.

Answer 9

maybe you might feel a bit weird at first but then you will get used to it, and realise that this keeps the bounderies in case someone decided to cross them

Answer 10

in this case, humiliating comes from the ego in your mind.