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re: Do you use sir and ma'am with older coworkers?

Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:54 am to
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
15356 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:54 am to
I say it to both young and old.
Posted by TSLG
Member since Mar 2014
6724 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:55 am to
All the time here too. Any age. Any title. Any socioeconomic class.
Posted by SSpaniel
Germantown
Member since Feb 2013
29658 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:55 am to
quote:

I've learned that in a professional environment the elders tend to get offended when you use sir, ma'am or mr.


I have never had anyone get offended by my saying yes sir/yes ma'am. Never. I've had a few "Call me John, Mr. was my dad" and from then on, I called them by what they asked me to. Still say "yes, sir or no, sir" to them. I also work with a bunch of doctors, and wouldn't dare call them by anything other than Dr. So and So.
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George
Member since Aug 2004
78060 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:56 am to
quote:

Do you use sir and ma'am with older coworkers?



Depends on the person, but generally yes.

Posted by mach316
Jonesboro, AR
Member since Jul 2012
4780 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 9:58 am to
I use em on older and younger people than myself.
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32594 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:02 am to
I work in schools, so I use it with every body including my students. You have to model the behavior.
Posted by Peazey
Metry
Member since Apr 2012
25418 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:02 am to
Not really. I'm not opposed to using it in some situations, but it would come across as too formal in my office.
Posted by ThatMakesSense
Fort Lauderdale
Member since Aug 2015
14832 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:04 am to
I like to tell old geezers all about medical problems they will likely expect in the coming years.
Posted by SSpaniel
Germantown
Member since Feb 2013
29658 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:04 am to
quote:

I'm almost 28, so no.


What does being "almost 28" have to do with anything? Once you get "almost 28" you quite being respectful?
Posted by bayourougebengal
Member since Mar 2008
7193 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:06 am to
I do. In fact, I pretty much always use ma'am with women, regardless of older or younger.
Posted by Projectpat
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
10522 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:07 am to
I did to anyone above me when I first started working. 95% of people would either ask me to stop or would actually get pissed about it. I stopped using either pretty quickly, and no one in my office uses them.
Posted by McCaigBro69
TigerDroppings Premium Member
Member since Oct 2014
45088 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:08 am to
I'm 25 and I still call most of my co-workers, several which are below me on the totem pole, ma'am and sir. Just habit from growing up I guess.

It's weird though, kids have started calling me sir and I freaking hate it.
Posted by motorbreath
New Orleans Saints fan
Member since Jun 2004
6381 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:09 am to
I always use it with people older than me. It's just habit by now. Also, I work in customer service. If I'm trying to get a customers attention I'll say ma'am or sir. It's either that or hey you.
This post was edited on 1/21/16 at 10:13 am
Posted by ForeverLSU02
Albany
Member since Jun 2007
52157 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:09 am to
quote:


It's weird though, kids have started calling me sir and I freaking hate it.

Yep
Posted by Emergent C Steve
Death Valley
Member since Nov 2007
1734 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:21 am to
I am older than most of my colleagues, but I still use sir and ma'am.

Old school southern gentleman!
Posted by upgrayedd
Lifting at Tobin's house
Member since Mar 2013
134887 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:30 am to
Depends on the person/situation, but mostly no. There's a certain point where you become peers and the sir/ma'am stuff goes by the wayside.
Posted by MSMHater
Houston
Member since Oct 2008
22775 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:30 am to
I say it to damn near everybody.

Just habit.
This post was edited on 1/21/16 at 10:32 am
Posted by GumBro Jackson
Raleigh
Member since Mar 2011
3115 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:37 am to
I don't generally use it in a professional setting. I might have when I was a "kid" (i.e. in college or younger), but not since I have been a professional. I think it is a little odd for an adult to use it with someone they know and work with unless there was a huge age difference like 30 or more years. So if someone is my parents age or younger I tend to think of them as a peer and not use it, if someone is my grandparent's age I might use it.

But I do use it sometimes with adults that I do not know, especially if they are older. I think it is a nice holdover from a time with somewhat better manners than we have now.
Posted by DJ3K
Member since Dec 2011
6768 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:49 am to
Use it all the time, even to people who are close to my age.

Only time I don't use it is when I am around friends.
Posted by Walt OReilly
Poplarville, MS
Member since Oct 2005
124662 posts
Posted on 1/21/16 at 10:49 am to
Yep
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