Posts
6917
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY
US
Edited Date/Time
5/8/2016 7:17am
I've seen it a few times on hunting shows where the kid is in the field with their dad and always address them as "sir" Is this a regional thing ? I know before i was alive it used to be the norm to address adults by sir or mam but in my area of the country ,i never hear it.
But there's some men who don't like it either.
It's about respect, respecting your parents and elders. Simple as that...
It was just too formal for our family, especially since my dad was seemingly always running around the house farting and cussing like a maniac!
The Shop
That's why we quit doing it after a few days. It's a tactic that works with some people, definitely not for everybody.
It's pretty common in Northeast Texas... Like half the people I grew up with had to call they're parents sir and ma'am.
It might actually have a little more to do with being southern-style polite than being respectful.
I'm frequently complimented on it---although I do get asked if I have a military background (I don't, but my Dad did).
If someone gets offended because I offered respect, then fuck 'em---they cannot steal my happiness.
Did they forget his name?
I finally turned around to see what was up, and this sixteen or so year old kid says, "Sir, are you in a band?"
I said, "Yes I am, and please call me John."
That was the first time I ever felt old.
The little bastard.
Motogeezer: I had the same reaction the first time or two---I blame it on the gray in the beard!
A little aphorism I made up:
You don't need to earn my respect;
I give it freely.
Whether or not you keep it is entirely up to you.
He stated that wasn't necessary at all and just say yes or no. Still haven't said anything but "sir" for the last 22 years we have been together and he still just has a shit eating grin when I say it.
And I do have the 6 years in the Marine Corps background so it really got double punched into me.
Pit Row
TM
I always go with sir or maam in many cases. Friends, family, acquaintances and strangers. Like it's been said before, it's just a bit of a sign of friendliness and something to keep it light and polite.
Of course he'd stand there and then have to re-ask me all the same questions that were just posed to him so it became an odd game of sorts where everybody talked in circles without speaking directly to the person they wanted the answer from. Once I started calling him by his first name all that bullshit disappeared.
That doesn't mean I wasn't raised to call people either mister or sir when it was warranted. I still do it to this day, just not with my dad. When I want to show respect to my dad now, I call him dad. It kind of throws him off a little at this point.
"Hey pop would you like anything from Walmart?"
"Some dip and a case of Pabst"
"Yes sir"
I think it is more habitual then respect driven.
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