When was the first time someone called you Sir?

sneha1965 · #1 08-27-2011, 11:26 AM

EDIT: I'm going to bypass the ladies/ma'am thing since ma'am doesn't seem to please most women. Some of the guys may not like being called Sir either but the point I'm really trying to get down to is being shown respect. Here's my story.

I was shocked when a Naval Academy cadet called me Sir for the first time and I have to say I'll never forget it. I had an overwhelming feeling of being respected. A knot welled up in my throat and I began to feel a tear rising through the duct so I smiled and departed with a quick hello. I didn't want the guy to see me get emotional or think I was weird. What the heck just happened?

Growing up on the West Coast I had never been called Sir. This isn't to say it couldn't have happened or that the folks in that area of the country are any less respectful of one another. I was 35 at the time so maybe it was just a matter of time before it happened. Whatever the case I had never heard it in reference to me. I don't know why that had such an impact on me but it did. I may be making more out of this than it really is necessary to start a thread but, still to this day it's the best feeling when someone calls me Sir. Anyone else feel this way or am I just tripping?

MakiSupaStar · #2 08-27-2011, 11:30 AM

I'm 40 and I don't think I've ever been called sir, unless the person wants something from me.

Phalex · #3 08-27-2011, 11:31 AM

Sir is OK. It's when the younguns start calling you "Pops" or "Old Timer" that you need to worry.

sneha1965 · #4 08-27-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I'm 40 and I don't think I've ever been called sir, unless the person wants something from me.

I wonder if it's a regional thing over here in the Mid-Atalntic area? I've often wondered if I still lived in CA if I would have been called Sir by now. Again, no dis to the West Coast but, I'm wondering if it's just a cultural thing over here?

sneha1965 · #5 08-27-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Sir is OK. It's when the younguns start calling you "Pops" or "Old Timer" that you need to worry.

I know the day is coming. Fortunately, I still don't have too many grey hair.

MakiSupaStar · #6 08-27-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

I wonder if it's a regional thing over here in the Mid-Atalntic area? I've often wondered if I still lived in CA if I would have been called Sir by now. Again, no dis to the West Coast but, I'm wondering if it's just a cultural thing over here?

Sir, I do believe you are bashing your roots you arrogant overgrown hipster.

Although, I think I have have discovered that if you couple it with an insult it makes the insult much more dignified.

Phalex · #7 08-27-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

I wonder if it's a regional thing over here in the Mid-Atalntic area? I've often wondered if I still lived in CA if I would have been called Sir by now. Again, no dis to the West Coast but, I'm wondering if it's just a cultural thing over here?

It may very well be. I'm a life long midwesterner, and the idea of being called, (or calling someone) sir, is not a concept that I have to make an effort to wrap my head around.

Strohsx · #8 08-27-2011, 11:42 AM

Probably working in high school,
My wife yelled at me for calling women Ma'am because she said make women feel old.

I don't know like Phalex said here in the Midwest it's a very common thing, then again we are very old timey unlike you fancy west coasters.

Funky Ghost · #9 08-27-2011, 11:42 AM

Here in Sac, I'm still "dude" or "Brah/bro" for the most part. I'll take that

Although, when I go out to eat it's invariably sir. I take that as professional and in no way a "Hello Mr Geezer, what soft food type may I serve you today?"

Jimbob Jones · #10 08-27-2011, 11:43 AM

Me and my friends call each other sir sarcastically/affectionately all the time. I don't think anyone's ever called me sir as a mark of respect.

Joe Nerve · #11 08-27-2011, 11:50 AM

Get called "sir" at work a lot. Goes w/ the teacher territory. More often than not it's being used sarcastically.

First time I was called "mister" hit me hard. Was probably about 16. Kids across the street were playing ball (remember that?) and the ball came to my side. "Mister!!!! Can you get the ball?" Wow, does that ever even happen anymore? Anyhow, thought I suddenly got old.

sneha1965 · #12 08-27-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

It may very well be. I'm a life long midwesterner, and the idea of being called, (or calling someone) sir, is not a concept that I have to make an effort to wrap my head around.

So you get called Sir? Maybe it's just the WC were that's not common?

sneha1965 · #13 08-27-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky Ghost

Here in Sac, I'm still "dude" or "Brah/bro" for the most part. I'll take that

Although, when I go out to eat it's invariably sir. I take that as professional and in no way a "Hello Mr Geezer, what soft food type may I serve you today?"

I'm definitely more used to hearing the dude/bro greetings. BTW, I grew up in Vacaville and have a sister and cousin living in Sac.

RosieB · #14 08-27-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strohsx

My wife yelled at me for calling women Ma'am because she said make women feel old.
.

This.

From what I'm reading here, for guys being called sir is usually a good thing. Or at least ok. The first time I was called ma'am, by a teenager in a grocery store no less, my first thought was "oh god I'm old." I still get that awful feeling when I'm called ma'am. I really hate it. I'm not ready to be a ma'am yet and it's very unnerving that others view me as a ma'am. If I lived in the south it might be different.

tplyons · #15 08-27-2011, 12:11 PM

All the time. I hate it. Makes me feel old at 24 years of age.

Must be a regional thing.

duff beer · #16 08-27-2011, 12:13 PM

Whenever I'm called "Sir", it's usually followed by "you're causing a disturbance."

Darkstrike · #17 08-27-2011, 12:22 PM

You'll be the first to know....

15000volts · #18 08-27-2011, 12:35 PM

does it count if it was a salesperson or an attendant at some store? i'd say it doesn't really count because sometimes it's just a habit they've developed.. anyways, someone called me "young gentleman" once when i was about 8. made me feel super cool. it has happened a couple of times, but mostly when i'm doing some sort of paperwork or dealing with any government realted situation. being called sir at 18..idk, it's a mix between "it's nice to be respected" and "why is an older person calling me sir?"

Jhengsman · #19 08-27-2011, 12:46 PM

There was a Samuel L Jackson movie where coach broke the historic mode and called all his players "sir" untill they did something to lose his respect. I had a coach like that. Later like in the movie An Officer and A Gentleman my ROTC NCOIC a Special Forces Sergeant First Class had the honor of the first salute.

BBox Bass · #20 08-27-2011, 12:55 PM

I'm a native of southern California, but spent my formative years in New Mexico. I seldom heard Ma'am or Sir in either state. When I moved to southeast Texas at the age of 22, I got called Ma'am more times than I can count. At first it really annoyed me, but after awhile I got so used to hearing it from the locals that I started doing the same thing. I also picked up a bit of the accent.

I continued when I moved to PA, but after getting the smackdown from a few women in their 50s (the "Are you calling me old!?" lecture, followed by me attempting to explain that I came from the South where it's a sign of respect), I try to curtail it as much as possible now. I don't understand why people up here think Ma'am and Sir are so awful, yet it's okay for waitstaff and cashiers to call total strangers Hon. Apparently I'm more Southern than I thought.