Sverige wrote:NOT CRAP in this context

i disagree. CRAP in that context!

Customers should be called "sir". The unfortunate thing is that there's no good female equivalent. "Miss" is inappropriate for women who feel they're too old for it, or married women. "Ma'am" is inappropriate for women who feel they're too young for it. "Madam" sounds forced in most situations. "Madame" is just silly, "Milady" (my wife has gotten this, and not at a renaissance festival) even more so.

i got called sir yesterday and almost looked behind me thinking that the guy was talking to someone else!

You know what's really crap? Calling someone "sir" and then having them bitch you out for it. "What's that? Don't call me 'sir'! How old do you think I am?" That happened to me fairly often when I used to work in retail (and thank god those days are over). I always had to fight back the temptation to say, "Well, if you don't like 'sir,' how does 'you pathetic assfucker' sound?"

"Sir" is usually meant as an expression of courtesy expressed to a stranger. It is meant to be a civility, not an insult. Accept it as such, or you are the one being an asshole.

Not Crap.

toomanyhelicopters wrote:not the fancy decorated Brits or anything (actual knights, who are titled Sir), but just in general, just guys like you and me. like, "yes sir" or "no sir" or "thank you, sir" etc. sometimes maybe it makes some sense, but mostly it doesn't, to me. i am generally not happy when people call me sir. regardless of who it is, like if it's a 16-year-old kid, or a 50-year-old guy, i just plain don't like it.

you?

Mr. Helicopters I am in total agreement with you! O' infrequent day.

When I recount being adressed in this way it strikes me as patronizing at worst ("Sir, if you could please you use our restrooms if you're going to be sick.") and inappropriate and weird at best ("Okay, gas, rootbeer, pizza pops, _Barely 18_ - that comes to 48 dollars, sir").

Mark Lansing wrote:You know what's really crap? Calling someone "sir" and then having them bitch you out for it. "What's that? Don't call me 'sir'! How old do you think I am?" That happened to me fairly often when I used to work in retail (and thank god those days are over). I always had to fight back the temptation to say, "Well, if you don't like 'sir,' how does 'you pathetic assfucker' sound?"

"Sir" is usually meant as an expression of courtesy expressed to a stranger. It is meant to be a civility, not an insult. Accept it as such, or you are the one being an asshole.

This happened to me once where I kinda snapped at a guy in a tea shop because he called me "sir" at the end of practically every sentence. He was really irritating, but I felt bad about it afterwards. But still, it's CRAP when not used sparingly.

whining about being called sir is crap.
calling someone sir is just meant as a general title, that's all.
I worked in fine dining for five years, where I practically lived in a formal setting. I got so used to "sir" and "ma'am" that I still cannot drop it today. when people whine about being called "sir" my hand shakes and starts to pump uncontrollably in a jacking-off motion.
its incredible really.
"don't call me sir, dammit, I work for a living."------bullshit.

buzzsaw wrote:"don't call me sir, dammit, I work for a living."------bullshit.

I've said this, and it was bullshit. In my defense, (a) it was a customer calling me sir, which is weird - I think sir is better used between equals or to superiors, (b) I was having a really lousy day and was grumpy, and (c) I was young and foolish. Still, bullshit.

I think "beard quality" is a good benchmark for using "sir." If I could grow a decent beard, I'd expect to be called "sir" at all times. But I can't.

Mark Lansing wrote:"Sir" is usually meant as an expression of courtesy expressed to a stranger. It is meant to be a civility, not an insult. Accept it as such, or you are the one being an asshole.

Not Crap.

Mr. Mark Lansing has provided the correct answer in a beautifully direct and pithy manner. Salut, Mr. Mark Lansing!

In an era where the ability to act with thoughtfulness and courtesy is an increasingly lost art, I appreciate a gracious "It is nice to meet you, sir" or "Thank you, sir" from the person whom I meet or with whom I am conducting a transaction.

I am confused as to why a person would take exception to this simple act of civility. Sure, "sir" can be stuffy, patronizing or done by rote, but let us embrace these acts of simple etiquette, ladies and gentlemen.

One thing: I'm not sure why this thread is overly focused on convenience store "sirring", but I'll state that there is nothing ridiculous about being addressed as "sir" when purchasing something as simple and inexpensive as a bottle of soda or a bag of chips. The setting and/or the value of the exchange shouldn't be the driver for the expression of courtesy. One thing though: don't give me the "sir" at the expense of an efficient and correct transaction.

Let me also remind you that none of us are getting any younger. If a teenager refers to one of us as "sir", as often happens to me here in Idaho, it means that the person views us as older people to whom he/she should accord some level of respect/deference, even if only as a result of the difference in ages. In my eyes, there is something very healthy about this practice from a sociological perspective.

Bottom line: Take your "sir" like a man, and do your best to live up to this honorific.

And "Sir Duke" is a great song. I listened to it this morning.

Edward wrote:[The word "sir" is] CRAP when not used sparingly.

This answer is also correct. The overuse of "sir" is embarrassing for both parties. Salut, Mr. Edward! You have identified an important point!