re: Sir and Ma'am..... Do you use it?

quote:

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This kind of sir and ma'am nonsense is antiquated and belongs in the 1800s. Only brown nosers and arse kissers would be caught saying this stuff these days.

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While I certainly do feel it's antiquated, I don;t agree with the rest of this. It's cultural in nature and in almost no cases is it done for the reasons you suggest. I believe these guys absolutely that they are doing it, and insisting their kids do it, precisely because they feel it's part of being polite.

Now...as to WHY it seems to be such a sticking point for politeness given there are lots and lots of other things which I personally would consider far more important in determining that is something I'd like to know.