Poll: How Often Do you Call Someone "Sir"?

[littlelacysurprisepageant]

To authority figures.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Rarely, mostly cause English isn't my main language, but also cause I lack a sense of courtesy.

 

[Kajt]

Never.

I just call people by name.

 

[danosaurus]

Whenever I like something about someone online, or if they thoroughly trounce me in a debate, or even if I'm being warningly cold with them, I use the word "sir". It got me wondering how many others do this, in real life or just online.

Let's find out shall we?

This.
Only ever online - I find it could easily be misconstrued as patronising in real life.

 

[Kinguendo]

I just used sir in an argument, it went as follows:
*Arguing for a bit*
"Good day, sir!"
*Person replies*
"I SAID GOOD DAY!"

I still cant believe I actually got to say that!

 

[chronobreak]

Anybody that appears to be 50 or older, I will call sir. Other than that, I'm 25 myself, as an adult I feel less need to say it to people closer to my age.

 

[Gotham Soul]

When I'm being sarcastic.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

Out of habit I used to call teachers 'sir' and 'miss' although I'm out of there now XD

I still do it from time to time, usually something along the lines of "you, sir, have blah blah blah" or whatever.

 

[BlackIronGuardian]

To people in authority in real life, and to people who piss me off online. Fair, methinks.

 

[DragonsAteMyMarbles]

Only in jest.

Although, when my mates and I have had a bit to drink, sentences beginning with "I put it to you, sir" said in a stereotypical English "toff" accent are embarrassingly prevalent.

"I put it to you, sir, that a flying hospital made of cheese is feasible!"

 

[Matronadena]

quite often out of politeness and formality.. but then again, I have to use it in business formality anyway.. did not need to use it as much as a kid, but as an adult is said very often.

 

[historybuff]

With customers and professors, I use 'sir'.

 

[manaman]

Anybody that appears to be 50 or older, I will call sir. Other than that, I'm 25 myself, as an adult I feel less need to say it to people closer to my age.

I got in the habit of doing so in the military. Now after a couple of years out the compulsion to say sir to anyone that seems slightly higher in the hierarchy then me has faded to pretty much what this guy says.

I don't discourage it but I hate when employees call me sir.

 

[Sable Gear]

Rarely online, unless it's a 'touchee' moment or for humourous effect

Quite often in real life, towards teachers and male strangers, or again like I said above

 

[Overlord Nicy]

I use it a lot. Only for the humor though. Never for formality or seriousness.

 

[Fireproof217]

I use it a lot. Only for the humor though. Never for formality or seriousness.

I agree. I say things like "Thank you kind sir" all the time just for fun.

 

[Dantes Alaska]

I thought this was about "How Many times a day" or something.

Because of my job, I have to say it a lot.

military?

 

[Julianking93]

I never call people sir or mam. It gives them power over me and I don't like that. Plus, I've only been in a few situations where it is necessary to call someone sir and I still didn't say it.

It was when I worked at the front desk at a gym and an older guy, about 60 or so, came up to me and started complaining that we don't serve healthy drinks in the vending machine. It was a Pepsi machine and it was really just there for the restaurant that was next door. He kept babbling on about how caffine is not a health ingredient. I just called him either dude or "hey, man" and explained to him that it's his problem and that we have health drinks available. Then he got all pissed off and went bitching to my boss specifically because I didn't address him as sir.

What a douche

 

[Ethereal.Frog]

I used to use the word sir all the time, jokingingly, semi-serious or just because it's a habit. I don't do that as often now. And that's it.