re: Do You Teach Your Kids to Say "Ma'am" or "Sir" As a Sign of Respect?

I only use those words when it’s someone I know will appreciate the buttering up. An older lady in the grocery store or something. When I waited tables, I always used sir and ma’am for the older customers.

I don’t use it anywhere else though and I personally wouldn’t make my hypothetical kids say it. I’m an extremely respectful and polite person.. overly so in some situations. I think you can be respectful without it.

My dad worked shift work and was gone a lot. I remember several instances when he was home and overheard my mom and I just having regular casual conversation, and him leaping up from across the room at me because at some point in the conversation that neither myself nor my mother noticed, I didn’t say ma’am. That kind of hot headed ~demand for respect~ when nobody was being disrespected to begin with is absurd.