Madam missus

[SoothingDave]

I prefer nothing at all.

When I am in a country where there is a 'sir' word for equals, then I accept, and use, it*. As a speaker of BrE, it is natural for me not to be used to being addressed as 'sir', and not to use that form of address myself.

*The exception to this was the United States. Although I accept intellectually that 'sir' is a natural and polite form of address there, I still feel uncomfortable because the language is English and the word is 'sir'

Is this because "sir" in BrE is only found in master/servant relationships?

 

[bhaisahab]

Is this because "sir" in BrE is only found in master/servant relationships?

I get addressed as "sir" in some shops.

 

[5jj]

I get addressed as "sir" in some shops.

That is perhaps because traditionally the person who served in a shop was socially inferior to the patron s/he served.

 

[emsr2d2]

I think the actual "master/servant" relationship might be a little too strong (although many years ago, that was true). However, I think the words "serve/service" are rather important. Even now, a person who works in a shop is said to "serve customers" even though it's not the same kind of meaning as the way a "servant" would "serve" their master.

The usual situations in which one is addressed as "Sir/Madam" (in the UK, at least) would be within any of the service industries, so uttered by a shop assistant, a hairdresser, a waiter/waitress, a check-in assistant, a train guard etc etc.

 

[5jj]

The usual situations in which one is addressed as "Sir/Madam" (in the UK, at least) would be within any of the service industries, so uttered by a shop assistant, a hairdresser, a waiter/waitress, a check-in assistant, a train guard etc etc.

Also by police and customs and immigration officers, who have a special way of saying it to indicate that they are definitely not serving you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Also by police and customs and immigration officers, who have a special way of saying it to indicate that they are definitely not serving you.

As an ex long-serving member of one of those three professions (I think I'll keep quiet about which one!), I did not address anyone as Sir or Madam. In fact, I recall being told as part of our initial training not to do so. If I did not know someone's name, I used "Good morning/afternoon/evening" and if it was necessary to speak to them after I knew their name, then it was "So, Mr/Ms ..."

On a side note, it was the shift from my profession being part of law enforcement to part of the service industry which destroyed the job and led me to quit.