Respecting Your Elders
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From: SOUTHEAST OHIO
Respecting Your Elders
I have been taught to always use Sir or Maam, Mr. or Mrs. when talking to an older person. I am 32 years old and was wondering what the age difference should be to qualify to be my elder? 5, 10, 15 years older than myself. Just curious.
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My rule of thumb is 1 Generation difference.
At about age 32 I was still calling a neighbour of my Dad's.....Mrs. Farmer
She said:" Dennis,you can stop calling me that, call me Carol instead,because I don't what you make me feel old"
At about age 32 I was still calling a neighbour of my Dad's.....Mrs. Farmer
She said:" Dennis,you can stop calling me that, call me Carol instead,because I don't what you make me feel old"
Elder User
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From: Marple Township, PA
What really stinks is when the twenty-something cuties call you "Sir" or "Mister".
Hear that enough, and you realize you're past your half-life
Hear that enough, and you realize you're past your half-life
Last edited by DonsFx4; Feb 24, 2005 at 10:29 PM.
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From: Colorado
I agree with Dennis. Add to that when in doubt, use Sir, Ma'am, etc. I own a small retail store and I always use those terms regardless of the customers age, unless it is obvious they are quite young. I have met but a few that don't enjoy the additional respect. I also use the terms "ladies" as well as "gentlemen" when approaching 2 or more customers of the same gender. This is regardless of age.
Never hurts to go beyond!
Never hurts to go beyond!
Elder User
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From: Marple Township, PA
Everyone knows it's not "Hi Guys!"
It's HEY!!! YOUZE GUYZ!!
It's HEY!!! YOUZE GUYZ!!
Last edited by DonsFx4; Feb 25, 2005 at 12:09 PM.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: NH
The only people I call Mr or Mrs are those that I called that when I was younger(you know your parents friends), unless of course they are 2 generations older than me and I happen to know there last name.
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Good manners are part of the habits instilled in a child. I recall as a child saying "yes" and my mother saying, "yes what', and me responding , "Yes, Ma'am. Then I did the exact same with my kids. That's why I shake my head when I watch shows like American Chopper. During their lifetime I never once raised my voice to my mother or father, and my kids, now adults, have never raised their voices to me, it's a matter of respect.
Dono
Dono
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
I think respect shouldnt be based upon what you call someone. For instance an older fellow i used to work with, i called him every name in the book, in good humour, and had the utmost respect for him! I feel respect should be given out however it is most comfortable, and to hell with names like sir or madam! By the way I'm still only 25, so even though i think i know everythink, i forsurely dont 
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
I wonder if some of this is regional. I've noticed quite a difference in the manners of kids in the Southern tier compared to the left-coast. I honestly can't remember the last time a young person called me "Sir," except maybe at the local fast-food joint. The kids friends generally address us by our first names. At school, though, it's a different story- my wife (and all the teachers) are addressed as"Mrs." or "Mr."
Dennis- another thing I've noticed is that our neighbors up north put our manners to shame.
The Northwest Chapter of FTE
we don't get lost,
we just get found
Dennis- another thing I've noticed is that our neighbors up north put our manners to shame.
The Northwest Chapter of FTE
we don't get lost,
we just get found
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Central TX and Central WY
I always use "Sir" or "Ma'am" when it's someone I don't know...usually use Mr and Mrs if I know the last name but don't know them well or know and have made a habit of calling by that if they haven't told me otherwise. I've been in college for quite a while so there's also a lot of "Dr."'s in my life. I think most of them are used to it and they put in the work to earn the degree, so to that point it's a respect thing. I'm working for a vet now that hardly ever goes by "Dr." and it's taken me almost two months to get used to using his first name!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> Never hurts to go beyond!
I agree, one thing I liked about moving south is more people refer to each other as Sir and Ma'am. I default everyone to Sir, Ma'am, Mr, Mrs, Ms unless asked to do otherwise and my children are taught the same.
I agree, one thing I liked about moving south is more people refer to each other as Sir and Ma'am. I default everyone to Sir, Ma'am, Mr, Mrs, Ms unless asked to do otherwise and my children are taught the same.
Senior User
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From: San Angelo, TX
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Michelle just hates it when we walk into a restaurant and someone will say: "Hi Guys"
I prefer:" Hi Folks"
I prefer:" Hi Folks"
I HATE when some 20 year old kid waiter says to my wife and I "Hey guys"
Hello, Hi, Welcome will do.
Elder User
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I've had a few professors here say they want to be called by their first name. The put in the time but they dont like the Dr., Sir., Mr.....thing. They say it makes them feel old. So I do as told. Otherwise, its always a respectful prefix.
And I like to think down here, we are some of the nicer people. I have both guys and girls hold the door open for me if Im behind them. rarely, and I mean rarely do I ever have to open the door myself unless theres no one else around. Its that Texan manner.
And I like to think down here, we are some of the nicer people. I have both guys and girls hold the door open for me if Im behind them. rarely, and I mean rarely do I ever have to open the door myself unless theres no one else around. Its that Texan manner.