Is it normal referring someone you don't know by name as sir or madam is polite?

92% Normal
5 Comments

Recently, there was a story in the news about a child being expelled for calling an adult in school ma'am. I am sorry people but from childhood in Generation X and before, we call people sir or ma'am or learn their name. Punishing a child for being polite is nonsense. I have even had people yell at me saying, "Don't call me sir/Ma'am."

Voting Results
92% Normal
Based on 13 votes (12 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 5 )
  • charli.m
    5 years ago

    Expelled?

    Do you have a link to this story?

    Edit: found this https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.nine.com.au/article/7fcfbf83-0995-4775-8611-127c57fa0855

    Not expelled, but punished.

    Still fucked up. Only thing I can think of is perhaps she thought the kid said it with an attitude, but even then her reaction (punishment and saying she wanted to throw something at him) was unwarranted.

    It doesn't sound like the kid said it rudely. Seems extra bizarre for NC, too. Ma'am and sir are pretty common there, I think? Maybe not as much as further south. But still. My nephew is expected to say yes sir/ma'am. If he got punished for that, I'd be furious.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Cuntsiclestick
      5 years ago

      I've worked at Target since 2006, and I remember during my first day, they told me to call people sir or mam. I still do. A good chunk of the people that got offended by it were people thinking that sir or mam meant that I was calling them old. Lol people need to stop letting their feelings get hurt so easily. XD

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      3
      3
        -
      • charli.m
        5 years ago

        Hahaha I have to say, the first few times someone slightly younger than me called me ma'am, I felt offended for precisely that reason. But she was just doing her job and trying to be polite, I wouldn't say anything. Over here, it's not something anyone does, so it took some adjustments for me.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • [Old Memory]
    5 years ago

    That is Bizarre I ain’t no X gen and don’t hear it often but that’s the most polite thing to call someone what else are you suppost to call them. Would they rather be called excuse me over sir/ma’am honestly I don’t use it but I always thought it was what you’re suppost to use. Everyone’s weird about nice stuff now aye bitch works better than ma’am. What’s happening.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • SmokeEverything
    5 years ago

    I just use like buddy or friend to make strangers feel comfortable talking to me.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1