What exactly do you feel if somebody is calling you Sir or Ma'am?
By sabado_dc
@sabado_dc (1001)
Philippines
March 11, 2012 6:52am CST
Today is Sunday, no classes and I am home. My siblings start calling me Sir, Yes Sir lol even my parents. It sounds good to the ear, at least "Graduating Students" like myself are being honored. Actually, I am feeling ashamed when somebody is calling "Sir" because I might cannot uphold the expectations that he or she is deserving of, at least of course, when I heard someone addressing this to me other than my family. As for my family especially my siblings, I really felt deeply honored, besides, I know what are their expectations being their eldest brother. They needed my support lol... hence, I need to find a job once graduated.. lol
What exactly do you feel if somebody is calling you Sir or Madam?
I think I've said my answer already but if there would be a chance telling them to reserve the title until I become a manager, I will.. lol... But I think calling me by my name will still be the most comfortable address... Well you have a better idea so please share with this topic....Thanks... hehehe
1 person likes this
15 responses
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
13 Mar 12
That really does kind of weird me out in some way. Granted, they are trying to be polite and respectful...no it is still rather weird to have someone call me, sir. It does kind of rather make me feel kind of old. I remember when the only people who were called "sir" or "madam" were something that were rather much older than me years ago. And now I am being called "sir" really to say the very least is still rather unsettling.
No matter how many times, it is rather going to take me a little off guard. It is just rather uncomfortable, too formal and stiff. Granted, I know the reasons, why people are going to call people, "sir", or "madam" is to show respect. But no matter how many ways you rather slice it, it does still feel a little off. I do tend to prefer to be called right by my giving name. And it is something that I answer the quickest for because I know you're talking to me.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
14 Mar 12
I don't know! some may call us submissive but here, MANNERS!
@angelgee14 (462)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
I know what do you mean by calling you sir or ma'm. I will be happy and shy at the same time. It only shows that they are also excited as I am with the upcoming graduation and they are looking forward to see you working in an office holding a good or higher position and some people/colleagues calling you sir.
They're just happy as you are, that's what I think of.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha,
Have you responded her? What did you say then
If I were you then, I would say, hello cutie or anak/daughter something like that... lol hehehe
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha, nice one...
Sure, I'll enjoy it.. But I think here in my country, as long as you are in authority, lower than you I think will still feel obligated to address you sir or ma'am
@yolanda_yvette777 (60)
• United States
12 Mar 12
I feel respected. I don't have a problem with someone calling me ma'am. Then again I believe it's because that's how me and my brother were raised, saying, "yes sir" or "no ma'am". I remember some aunts and uncles of mine telling me not to say that to them. It was confusing and even a little uncomfortable at times because my parents ordered us to use search terms in dealing with grown-ups. I can't understand why people act as if you're 'cussing them out' if you speak to them in such a way. It's only showing respect. Not calling a person old. I'm 41 and if someone wants to refer to me as ma'am, I have no problem with that. And if they don't, I'm fine with that too.
@Booknerd_Yazzy (56)
• United States
11 Mar 12
Even though i know people are mostly being respectful i still feel very awkward
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
11 Mar 12
I would prefer being called by my nickname or addressed as "kuya"(which is a sign of respect to elder brothers) by younger siblings or people, but if that is their choice of showing respect and courtesy then I have no objection to it. I can get use to it, without the awkward feeling. At my age, I think it would already be appropriate to be addressed that way.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha, likewise here. I always wanted to be adressed by my name but of course exeptions may vary
@preethaanju (3000)
• India
11 Mar 12
I love tobe addressed as Sir.Today its become common to address as uncle or aunty.It gives me a sense of respect.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha,
Calling Aunt and Uncle also are a matter of courtesy...
When I came home the other day, My dad was currently engaged with someone and I don't know what I 'm going to say, it couldn't be welcome, and so, I 've decided to say, how are you uncle in a common Filipino way of greetings
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
11 Mar 12
I know that it is a sign of courtesy and respect to call people sir or ma'am. It just makes me feel like i am just a number to someone when they are so formal to me and don't call me by my name. I guess i am just more comfortable with a more familiar atmosphere.@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha, Well that's true.
I've watched a movie and I witnessed how other people greet each other. There is only one common way of greetings like saying "peace be with you" with an exchange kiss or shake hands. It was nice and it seems like all people from all walks of life in that part of land are equally treated, no poor, no rich. Every one is respected.
@sanofer (525)
• India
11 Mar 12
according to me i wont feel ashamed or happy if someone called me madam. if they don't know our name,then how they will address us. so its not a big matter for me,if someone calls me madam. we should be feel proud because addressing by sir/madam is a type of respect given to us.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
11 Mar 12
To me it's normal to call an adult that way. It's a sign of respect. More and more people don't care anymore. So everybody, no matter what age is calling you at your surname or worser (hey you). If someone is not approaching me polite/with respect I alsways do, no matter if they are years younger I call them mrs or mr (unless they are little children). I think it's wrong to be or to want to be familiar with everyone.
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
11 Mar 12
It shows respect when someone called u Sir or Ma'am but sometimes it seems to be too formal for me.Some of my clients and suppliers usually called me Sir especially when talking to them in the phone.At first I feel quite comfortable but as day goes by and as often as we talked,I just wanted to called by my name where I'm more comfortable with.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha, if I were in a situation as yours, probably I'll return the address back to them. That's more on a profesionally mannered conversation
@god_is_good (683)
• Philippines
11 Mar 12
The feeling exactly. No more, no less. Well, when I was like you, I was an officer of the Reserved Armed Forces so we usually call our upperclassmen Sir or Madam. Then our lower class men call us Sir. At first, it felt good and I felt proud because calling somebody Sir or Madam means that I am a bit an authority. But when some friends tease me in school, I felt not so good about it. I learned today that if we want to be somebody who is successful, we should think and feel that way in order to manifest in reality. And so, I think I needed to change something about the way I think to be in a success mentality than being ashamed of it. Where are you studying in the Philippines?
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
Aha, nice response!
I used to be as S1 COLT officer when I was in highshool so I know exactly what you 're talking about.
I am studying in Nueva Vizcaya State University.
@rozilynf (140)
•
11 Mar 12
Its the sign of people's respect you, when somebody calling me mam or mamdam, at first time i feel shy, but now, i feel so great about that, especially when my bf's employees in his ofc calling me like that, i know that they respect me as a wife of the president on the company.. It feels glad.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
11 Mar 12
I don't know how I should feel about it... When somebody calls me madam, I can only think that he is either polite, or wants me to have a good opinion about him.
It depends who says it. I agree that it feel like a title that should be deserved. There are people whose behavior generates the Sir/Madam title... I think it often rather reflects the personality and not the career someone has built.
Anyway, it's often just formality.
@sabado_dc (1001)
• Philippines
12 Mar 12
So it's often just a formality and so, maybe, nothing to be ashamed of.
Aha, Thanks for that
