No, sir

[Nigello]

I keep getting called ?sir?, even when I?m not being arrested. (Joke) I know people who say it mean well but I really don?t like it. It?s usually younger people (20s) who add it to the end of the sentence so perhaps it?s my white hair? It just sounds too formal, too American. 🤷‍♂️👴

[diable rouge]

What would you prefer instead?

I don't mind Sir, it's much better than ''mate'' or ''boss''...

[siousxiesue]

I got ma'am the other day in the park of all places! Felt ancient

[Nigello]

It's an unwanted import! Sir / madam in a posh shop or nice restaurant but not on in the CoOp when you?re asking for Toilet Duck or on the 197!

[Spartacus]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It's an unwanted import! Sir / madam in a posh

> shop or nice restaurant but not on in the CoOp

> when you?re asking for Toilet Duck or on the 197!

Confused

Why are you asking for toilet duck on the 197 😱?

If you are, they are calling you Sir because they are very very worried about you...

[TheCat]

Sir, please dont sh1t on the bus...

[malumbu]

Something for the weekend sir?

[SpringTime]

Suit you, sir.

[malumbu]

Please sir?

https://youtu.be/LKtHaeaMPb8

[Spartacus]

Oh Sir

That last one was a bit risky in a modern PC world

[lameduck]

Its a mark of respect, It is nice and proper. They call me mum or mummy

even old men, but even mum is a mark of respect in many cultures.

as Diable said its better than mate or boss

[JohnL]

diable rouge Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What would you prefer instead?

>

> I don't mind Sir, it's much better than ''mate''

> or ''boss''...

they could introduce themselves - I know we don't have time for that these days.

[Nigello]

I like mate - it?s better than an antiseptic, performance-formal ?sir?. It?s just not what we say, unless you?re in a few, particular situations. Fine for the US but not here.

[diable rouge]

Mate is an import, I think the Aussies/Neighbours brought it over along with the the end of sentence inflection where every statement becomes a question!

I don't mind an actual mate saying it to me but not a complete stranger, it's too familiar, I'm not your fecking mate..:)

[KidKruger]

I quite like that we can engage complete strangers and hear salutations like mate, geez, bro, dude, fella, fam, whatever.

If it?s well-intended / non-hostile, what?s the problem.

Having to build-up entitlement to be allowed to qualify to call someone ?mate? sounds shite IMO.

I don?t like being called sir, although in hospitality envts I allow it as that just seems to be what they do.

[siousxiesue]

When I can't remember the name of an acquaintance or neighbour, I use sweetheart or my love.

I began doing this a lot years ago when working in Bermondsey, everyone else did!

[Seabag]

?Yes bredda? is one I?m hearing more recently.

Not in Sevenoaks tho, that?s usually a ?Hello? or an elongated ?Hiiii? or a smile with a mumble of some sorts. It?s a proper bubble here.

[TheCat]

I do use 'mate' a lot, often just unconciously, and sometimes I do sense some brits find it out of place in some settings. But as an uncouth aussie, I can usually get away with it.

'Mate' is also more inclusive than sir or ma'am for the non-binary community.

[Spartacus]

Struth cobber

[TheCat]

Strewth. It's shits me to tears when people misspell my language.

(NB: I don't use 'it shits me to tears' in more formal settings. Just for job interviews and weddings)

[Spartacus]

Zorry My Miztake (now that gets me when "s" is replaced by "z" )

[Seabag]

A. I?m sticking with this.

[Sephiroth]

Seabo - have you mixed up your threads?

[malumbu]

Hello John

[Drxyster]

There is no need to call me sir, I do not have a Knighthood.