I think I have an addiction

[Undertoad]

Honestly, I say sir to everybody, it's one of my things.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Honestly, I say sir to everybody, it's one of my things.

Me too.


Which makes me think, why do I say sir to everybody? And my answer is that I intend to express respect to the person I'm addressing. It's a good answer; it's true.

But in this case Big Sarge doesn't hear the respect I intended. He hears something else. That's fine too. But he's gone further, explicitly asking not to be addressed as sir.

I still have respect for Sarge, so I have to use a different way to express my respect. The "burden" is on me to use the terms/mode that is acceptable to the person I'm interacting with.

This reminds me of the very animated discussion about pronouns, when Ibby brought up a similar subject. To continue to use "sir", despite my proclamations of respect, would be like sticking my thumb in his eye, the opposite of respect.

Is this "political correctness" on my part? Or is it simple consideration and normal decency?