Can I Address You Sir/Ma'am Here In Mylot?

In England we tend only to use 'sir' or 'madam' to someone to whom we owe (or ought to owe) some respect, for example, a customer, if we are working in a shop or a service industry, or a teacher or lecturer if we are in an educational context. It is actually used much less frequently now than it used to be and tends to sound a little insincere if it's used too often. "Ma'am" is almost never used here, except when addressing the Queen (when it should be pronounced 'mahm' and NEVER 'mam'!). I think that the tendency, in the West, at least, is to think of other people more as equals, unless occasion dictates otherwise, so terms of respect, such as 'Sir' and 'Madam' tend to be used less because they sound and feel insincere if used too often. In a forum such as myLot, where one quite often does not know whether the person you are addressing is male or female, it is best to avoid using any such forms of address (and, especially 'dear', which I know is very common in India but sounds over-familiar and a little ridiculous to a Western ear).

I quite like to be addressed as 'ma'am' as I think it sounds very courteous and if it is the natural inclination for that person to use such a term, then I am happy to accept it in the spirit in which it is offered.

I think when here in myLot we can just call each other by our username. I must agree, we Filipinos are so respectful. Most driver of the public transportation call me madam. I don't know if it is because of my age, but I like it.

With Filipino members I'm sure to the majority it's no big deal but I cannot speak for the rest. For Asians ( mostly if not all) calling " friend " or "my friend " is acceptable.

I remember my college days when our professors would also call us "Sir" or "Mister" or "Miss" or "Mrs." with respect. I particularly remember my History professor who always goes to the library like me to read the papers and in times when I get ahead of him with the day's papers, he would say "May I be the next, Mr. . . .?"

To us your fellow Filipino, It is okay. But to some nationality, let`s better be more casual to avoid criticism from others. Anyways, since you are an Ilocano, are you also from Pangasinan ? Hehehe

I do not think those words need to be used in a friends circle. We are friends here and so...............

Here sir and maam is a sign of respect and used only for that reason.

I do appreciate courtesy when given. So addressing me as ma'am is acceptable.

we Ilocanos can call each other "kabsat", and i hope you won't mind my calling you that. i have other "kabsats" (brother/sister) here and they are @Shavkat, @Brokenbee, and @Antonbunot

@ilocosboy For the first time in a long time I heard someone call someone madam. I am not sure I like that. I prefer that people just call me Hanni here.

Yes, I understand your point. But not all Filipinos wanted to be addressed as Ma'am or Sir. I have already encountered a lot. They said, they are not deserving to be called as such, especially in the provinces. They would prefer to be called Manang, Manong or ate, kuya... I would prefer to be called by my name.

Nothing wrong in addressing like that..it's okay .

,,,its ok... im.filipino too,. Hehe...

Well, we see it some here in my country. But it's beginning to fade.

I don't have a problem with that, I'm usually called as duddy, bro if in my language it was "mas ...". But it better we just call their name.

Ideally, I avoid it. It is not being disrespectful. It is something that is not done here so far...so we don't want anybody getting into some habit for which he or she might be laughed at a later date.

I would not want to be called ma'am or madam or even miss/mrs. And I have to say it's a bit weird when someone uses the term "friend" in the comments when talking to me when we are not actually friends.

I have got no problems with that. Actually, it is a sign of courtesy.