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

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It's not about just politeness (that's some of it), it's about respect. A 10 year old talking to a 40 year old should show respect, and that is one of the easiest and most basic ways to do so.

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I get that you guys think that, I'm just not following why those words show that. Honestly...I'm not being contrary just to be so. A child could say those words and clearly not mean them...or simply say yes ot no sincerely and respectful. Is one better than the other? Are both bad? Can an adult not determine from a child's behavior whether or not they respect them?

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I never said anything remotely like that. If an adult asks a child something, especially a child other than their own, and the response is "yeah" or "no", then yes that is showing a lack of respect.

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I find yeah or nah fairly rude, and we stop that stuff...though not in front of other adults, at home. But why is "no" a disrespectful response to a yes or no question if the answer is given respectfully?

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An adult is often much older than a child.

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Wasn't my point. I still use it in those situations because it was more ingrained in me when I was younger. It's a reflex in most cases. When it comes to parenting, I don't reflexively tell my boys what they should do. We've never told them saying that is mandatory, but have stressed the things I mentioned in my first post. Looking people in the eye when talking to them. Engaging them while they talk to you. Yes/no versus yeah/nah.