One thing we are noticing here in the States is how formal people are.
Sir and Ma'am are very very common. Even when someone who knows you is talking to you, they might call you sir or ma'am, depending on your gender.
Odd.
Very odd.
Australians don't use sir and ma'am/madam much at all. When these terms are used by Australians, it means someone is trying to sell something to you. Therefore we don't trust people who say sir and ma'am to us. The person is being overly obsequious in our understanding. Or they are being sarcastic.
Of course if someone served in the military it does modify our perceptions some, but even then, if you know our name, you are expected to call us by it, not sir or madam.
3 comments:
I think the formalism and the kind of formalism depends on the area of the country you are in. In Northern Nevada...where I am...its more casual...not too many sirs and ma'ams here but politeness with thank yous and you are welcome...and excuse.
Growing up in a big city like NYC...Sirs and Ma'ams were more evident but ty and yw or excuse me were hard to come by.
In the south (lived there for awhile also) things are much more formal...to the extent that if you meet someone older and they are introduced to you by their first name it is expected that you address them as Mr. (first name) or Miss/Mrs. (first name)...like children to adults or adults to the elderly...plus Sirs and Ma'ams and ty and yw and excuse me...etc. I have found that Utah tends to be this formal as well.
It just depends on what part of the country you are in.
We are just so egalitarian here!! I live in fear of being 'ma'amed'!!!!
LOL!!!!
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