- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Do you use sir and ma'am with older coworkers?
Posted on 1/21/16 at 2:42 pm to jrodLSUke
Posted on 1/21/16 at 2:42 pm to jrodLSUke
quote:
I use sir and ma'am with everyone in a formal or business environment, regardless of age. It is called proper etiquette.
This and when I address black people younger then me, they are like WTF?
But after seeing them a couple times and addressing them like that, I get the same respect. 
Now older white and black people will address me the same as I address them. Guess some things get lost. 
0
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:01 pm to Projectpat
quote:
I did to anyone above me when I first started working. 95% of people would either ask me to stop
Perhaps that happened, but
quote:
would actually get pissed about it
That didn't happen.
If it did, then I'd lose a lot of respect for that person. How can someone be pissed off that a coworker is treating them with respect?
I understand that some people want things to be more casual and they'll say you don't need to say it, but that is almost always the extent of it.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:07 pm to 1MileTiger
quote:
This is an antiquated custom that is dead outside of the South. I haven't used ma'am or sir in years in Colorado, and I haven't heard it used since.
That sounds terrible.
Antiquated or not, it still shows respect. At the very least I'd recommend using it to err on the side of caution. The worst thing that can happen is that someone will tell you that you don't need to say it and that will be that. It is certainly better than the alternative if you go around and never use it.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:10 pm to X123F45
quote:
If you have the right accent, that's a panty dropper.
That is true. A chick from a class in college made me stop saying "yes ma'am" at a party because she was getting all hot and bothered and she thought saying ma'am to someone here age (19-20) had sexual connotations.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:11 pm to slackster
I would seriously recommend most people in this thread to not do it in a professional setting. It is generally frowned upon in the legal departments and firms where I have been.
I'm glad most people in this thread want to be respectful, but it is considered a faux pas in most places.
I'm glad most people in this thread want to be respectful, but it is considered a faux pas in most places.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:20 pm to CorporateTiger
Well, where I work now, we have so many people coming and going, it's impossible to learn names of most people so sir and ma'am is standard.
The other day, someone was just calling me sir as usual because we didn't know each other's names and that's not odd in the least. But finally i gave him my name (he didn't give his) and even then, he refused to use it and when he finally did, he sounded guilty.
Using someone's name Can be a sign of familiarity that isn't appropriate.
But I know plenty of places are different.
The other day, someone was just calling me sir as usual because we didn't know each other's names and that's not odd in the least. But finally i gave him my name (he didn't give his) and even then, he refused to use it and when he finally did, he sounded guilty.
Using someone's name Can be a sign of familiarity that isn't appropriate.
But I know plenty of places are different.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:20 pm to athenslife101
quote:
Do you use sir and ma'am with older coworkers?
When do you differentiate when you use it?
Outside of the south (potentially only the "deep south") I would say it's actively unproductive to use them. It just isn't done and is not perceived as being respectful.
Ironically, I really only use it with very old employees, mostly women, who have no power...like a secretary or something.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:24 pm to CorporateTiger
quote:
I would seriously recommend most people in this thread to not do it in a professional setting. It is generally frowned upon in the legal departments and firms where I have been.
If that is the case, I'd seriously recommend most people take note of what others are doing in the particular corporate setting - sort of like whether you order an alcoholic drink at a business dinner.
Even in settings where it isn't used with coworkers, I can't imagine that holds true for conversations with clients.
Maybe I'm way off base, but the idea of being truly offended by someone replying yes sir or yes ma'am seems ridiculous.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:25 pm to Big Scrub TX
Seriously, even you mean it as a sign of respect many people do not take it as such and therefore you should avoid using it.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:26 pm to slackster
quote:
hat sounds terrible.
No it doesn't.
quote:
Antiquated or not, it still shows respect. At the very least I'd recommend using it to err on the side of caution. The worst thing that can happen is that someone will tell you that you don't need to say it and that will be that. It is certainly better than the alternative if you go around and never use it.
This is bad advice anywhere outside of the south.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:27 pm to slackster
To be clear, I'm not endorsing the idea that someone gets actively upset by it, but I've been asked to have a talk with younger employees about it.
There are just too many ways for it to go wrong outside of the Deep South. There are other ways to show your respect.
There are just too many ways for it to go wrong outside of the Deep South. There are other ways to show your respect.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:27 pm to slackster
quote:
Maybe I'm way off base, but the idea of being truly offended by someone replying yes sir or yes ma'am seems ridiculous.
Perhaps not "truly offended" but an unmitigated negative that does not generate any positive emotion or interaction at all. I think in most office environments these days it is simply perceived as weird.
What's disrespectful is you INSISTING that it's respectful to people who don't view it so.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:28 pm to CorporateTiger
quote:
Seriously, even you mean it as a sign of respect many people do not take it as such and therefore you should avoid using it.
It is baffling that being respectful is apparently so rare in some areas that people will think you're being sarcastic.
frick that.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:30 pm to Big Scrub TX
quote:
What's disrespectful is you INSISTING that it's respectful to people who don't view it so.
I wouldn't argue with someone who told me not to use it, but I'd have a hard time changing my default reply to "Yes" and not "Yes sir/ma'am".
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:31 pm to slackster
quote:
It is baffling that being respectful is apparently so rare in some areas that people will think you're being sarcastic.
frick that.
No, that's you misinterpreting the situation entirely. Just because people aren't sirring and maaming each other to death does not mean they've abandoned the concept of respect.
It's quite ironic that you - Mr "respectful" - insist on making these unkind and DISRESPECTFUL generalizations.
This post was edited on 1/21/16 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:31 pm to Big Scrub TX
I use it with older and younger people. I use it with my wife and 5 year old step daughter. I call everyone mam or sir. It is cool to me when an older witness calls a younger lawyer mam or sir, and when told that isn't necessary he just keeps on doing it. Happens all the time. Sometimes older dude is just messing with them.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:34 pm to CorporateTiger
quote:
To be clear, I'm not endorsing the idea that someone gets actively upset by it, but I've been asked to have a talk with younger employees about it. There are just too many ways for it to go wrong outside of the Deep South.
I've worked in an office in San Francisco as an intern for a couple summers and I used sir/ma'am with everyone until we became familiar enough for me to drop it, and some people immediately told me it wasn't necessary, but I don't recall anyone being upset or offended.
Apparently I'm way out of touch with the rest of the country on this topic.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:34 pm to slackster
There is still being respectful everywhere. Tone, diction, body language, and volume can all convey respect much better than simply tacking the word Sir onto your sentences.
For an example look at the Taladega Nights scene where Ricky Bobby keeps saying "with all due respect, sir." Simply using the word doesn't make what you say respectful nor does not using it make it disrespectful.
For an example look at the Taladega Nights scene where Ricky Bobby keeps saying "with all due respect, sir." Simply using the word doesn't make what you say respectful nor does not using it make it disrespectful.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:35 pm to Big Scrub TX
quote:
No, that's you misinterpreting the situation entirely. Just because people aren't sirring and maaming each other to death does not mean they've abandoned the concept of respect. It's quite ironic that you - Mr "respectful" - insist on making these unkind and DISRESPECTFUL generalizations.
As if I'm going to let you drag me along as you troll this thread.
Posted on 1/21/16 at 3:36 pm to slackster
quote:
but I don't recall anyone being upset or offended.
That's because they aren't. They might not want you to use it, but they don't get mad or offended.
As usual, Big Scrub wants everyone to know how worldly he is and everyone on here are just bumpkins from the south.
Page 4 of 6
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News