"Ma'am" and "Sir"

[levitate]

I use it both frequently. Particularly when talking to folks who are providing me a service, or folks working in retail. Just a polite way of acknowledging the person.

 

[I'm Blackman]

No kids, but if I had them.

They would refer to me, my wife, and all adults the same way I did/do.

 

[IsThatBrothaMouzone?]

I use it for elder black folks out of respect for my people.

I never address non-blacks with sir or ma'am no matter how old.

 

[UberEatsDriver]

You’ll here it in a professional customer service role but a random person addressing you as that.

I had this chick from Louisiana come to my office to get financial counseling and it really bugged me that she kept calling me Sir.

And you can tell it was cultural cause after I playfully told her to just call me Jay she continued to call me sir




I don’t say “sir” at all but I say “ma”am often.

 

[bourgeoisie tall freak]

I usually use it to offset some bulls hit I'm about to say lol

Well what I say is probably real, but I know they aren't going to like it so much

Either way, I'm from the West.

 

[Sassy]

I only do it to the elderly.

Also, was raised that way

 

[⠀X ⠀]

No. My dad is from the south, but he didn’t have us saying that. My cousins all did though. We just said “yes”, when we were addressed.

 

[Ashley Banks]

what part of Louisiana


We may be related

My mom grew up in Leesville but she said a lot of our family lives in Lake Charles.

 

[MJ Truth]

I'm 33 and every time another man refers to me as sir I assume I could beat their ass if it came down to it. Not even sure why I feel that way but I do. I'm in NC and everyone says sir around here for whatever reason. Except me.

 

[ThaEruditious]

Out of respect, I'll address women as such. I call my father and stepfather "pops" out of respect. Hilariously, I grew up calling both of those nikkas by their given names

Edit: I'm from the South

 

[QueenVirgo85]

My mom would always tell my friends not to say yes ma’am to her. She said it would make her feel old.

 

[Elle Driver]

Ma’am, sir, miss or mister is said out of respect.

 

[TEH]

I didn’t have to say it coming up. I respect my elders now and will say ma’am or sir.

Same with me

 

[Ziggiy]

My father INSISTED on Sir and Ma’am he didn’t play that shyt

 

[Worthless Loser]

I live in NY state. My dad side from Pennsylvania. Growing up my great aunt was very strict on that. To a lesser extent my dad and grandma had that policy too. They would always correct us if we just said yes by saying "yes ma'am" back to us and make us repeat that. My dad and grandma eventually stopped caring though. I think my dad only harped on it at times because he was in the presence of the elders. Honestly the way my aunt was so strict on that, it felt ego and power driven more than being about manners and respect.