As I live my dotage years I notice more people calling me Sir.

Actually, when someone calls someone else "Sir," the first thing that comes to my mind is 'respect." OR the person saying it served in the military. I don't know if it equates to older folks, though. Now if they called you "Grandpa" that would make me wonder. Once, I was called "Grandmother" from a young clerk in a department store when I went shopping with my son. I was wearing a coat that was outdated. I'll never forget that. It was almost 15 years ago! Now, I don't mind. When I go to a restaurant and they have specials for senior citizens, I ask for them. :)
 
I get called "young man" by people half my age, suggesting to me anything other than respect, though I do sometimes get folks holding doors open, or even offering to carry heavy packages for me,.
I think it is because they expect it will mean I get my break bulk out of the way quicker, or feel I'll drop dead in front of them or something, (my manly machismo won't allow myself to accept any kind of assistances with packages under 100 pounds however, or of course. :) !).
 
Its a form of respect. As a child we were taught to say "sir"and "mamm" to our elders. We got in trouble if we did not. Maybe its a southern thing as I grew up with it. My daughter who lives in Va. says its not done that much there even though its considered southern. My daughters are in their 50's but they still say "yes mamm' to me and to my sister.
 
terry123 said:
Its a form of respect. As a child we were taught to say "sir"and "mamm" to our elders. We got in trouble if we did not. Maybe its a southern thing as I grew up with it. My daughter who lives in Va. says its not done that much there even though its considered southern. My daughters are in their 50's but they still say "yes mamm' to me and to my sister.
Click to expand...
Same here..Sir and Madam, is a sign of respect...
 
I’d rather be called “Sir” than “Honey” or “Sweetie,” which seems to be an American ‘waitress-at-a-diner’ thing. The collective form of this address seems to be “Folks” or “Y’all,” as in, “Are you folks ready to order?” Just don’t call me early in the morning, or late for dinner… 😸
 
Ma’am and Sir are used in my area of the South as a sign of respect. I don’t mind being called Ma’am at all.
A few years ago a 30 something hipster looking woman called me ‘Dearie’ and she sneered when she said it. Made me so mad, but as usual, I couldn’t come up with a response. By the time I realized I’d been insulted she’d walked away.
Still makes me mad.
 
palides2021 said:
Actually, when someone calls someone else "Sir," the first thing that comes to my mind is 'respect." OR the person saying it served in the military. I don't know if it equates to older folks, though. Now if they called you "Grandpa" that would make me wonder. Once, I was called "Grandmother" from a young clerk in a department store when I went shopping with my son. I was wearing a coat that was outdated. I'll never forget that. It was almost 15 years ago! Now, I don't mind. When I go to a restaurant and they have specials for senior citizens, I ask for them. :)
Click to expand...
Where was this? And did they address you as Grandmother or refer to you as a Grandmother?

Most Native American peoples call older women 'Grandmother' as a sign of respect. Here in NM the predominant cultures, Native Americans and Hispanic-Americans tend to still treat elders with respect.
 
feywon said:
Where was this? And did they address you as Grandmother or refer to you as a Grandmother?

Most Native American peoples call older women 'Grandmother' as a sign of respect. Here in NM the predominant cultures, Native Americans and Hispanic-Americans tend to still treat elders with respect.
Click to expand...
You know, now that I think of it, the only place I've been not only *not* ignored but treated with respect is a bank here that seems to have almost all Hispanics working there who treated me like royalty. I no longer use that bank--that's where my late mother's estate had an account & the estate is finally settled--but I wish my current bank were like that; maybe I should switch over...nah, too much trouble.
 
feywon said:
Where was this? And did they address you as Grandmother or refer to you as a Grandmother?

Most Native American peoples call older women 'Grandmother' as a sign of respect. Here in NM the predominant cultures, Native Americans and Hispanic-Americans tend to still treat elders with respect.
Click to expand...
Midwest. They were talking to my son and referred me as "your grandmother." It wasn't anywhere close to NM. :)
 
Oh and to answer OP question: Ask yourself why it bothers you.

Being called m'am doesn't bother me for several reasons:
1) i was raised that sir/m'am are respectful addresses for elders.
2) Fact: i am getting older at rate of 60 minutes an hour. I don't dye my grey away or hide my wrinkles. My gnarled fingers/hands would give me away in case.
3) I don't mind being reminded of aging &/or mortality by being addressed as an elder. I celebrated reaching crone stage of life.
4) Many of my lives i died young, so this is welcome. Maybe i'll learn something new to me getting this old.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top