Is it rude to call people “maam” or “sir”?

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9 Comments

All my life, I thought it’s respectful to call strangers “maam” or “sir” regardless of age. But I noticed that on tv people don’t like being called those because they feel like youre indicating that they are old. So i stopped calling people maam or sir. In other english-speaking countries however, it’s rude NOT to call strangers “maam” or “sir” so now I’m confused lol.

Would it be better if I call people “Ms.” or “Mr.” instead? Does it sound natural?

Voting Results
53% Normal
Based on 15 votes (8 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • Cuntsiclestick
    5 years ago

    I work at Target and they told us to call people Mam or Sir. I even do it outside of work. Depending on where I am it either impresses the person(because they don't expect someone my age to call them something polite) or it pisses them off(because they think I'm calling them old or in fewer cases "misgendering" them). I'm still going to keep calling people that. It's a habit that's not important enough to me to break.

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    • charli.m
      5 years ago

      It's not a common thing here in Australian, so when someone my age called me that in the US, it made me bristle, but she was just being polite and doing her job, so I didn't fuss over it. Only a dick would get mad at someone who is just trying to be polite.

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  • jack_shephard
    5 years ago

    Depends on the way & situation you say it sir.

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  • Yobrepaid
    5 years ago

    It depends on the tone that is used.

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  • Boojum
    5 years ago

    The only time in my life when I called anyone "Sir" or "Ma'am" was during my years as an enlisted man in the military. Even then, I did so as little as possible, and I tried to inject a touch of sarcasm into the word if addressing an officer who was a real jerkwad.

    I think it's a peculiarly American thing to use "Sir" or "Ma'am" in informal social contexts. It's not at all common in Britain. Service and retail staff here do it occasionally, but as a man, it's normal for female staff to to call me "Love", "Pet", "Dear", "Darling" or something similar. Male staff commonly address male customers as "Mate".

    If you want to ask a stranger on the street for help with directions or something, the normal thing in Britain is to do so with a smile, "Excuse me," and a polite request.

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  • nikkiclaire
    5 years ago

    Depends on the person, situation, where you live and how you say it.

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    • CozmoWank
      5 years ago

      Yes, for instance if you say "Excuse me ma'am, you have a large backside but I'd still give it a mount." don't be surprised if your compliment is taken poorly.

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      • lordofopinions
        5 years ago

        Really? LOL

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        • CozmoWank
          5 years ago

          Yes really. I'd never just make this stuff up.

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