Update at end.
One of the things I have always wanted my children to do is say, "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Ma'am," "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir." Call me old fashioned, but I have always considered it just a tad bit more polite. However, it has been difficult to get them to say 'sir' and 'ma'am' because so many other adults don't want to be called 'sir' or 'ma'am,.' I have heard so many reasons for this. The main reasons are these: It makes them feel old. They don't want the child to feel inferior.
Now, personally, I want my children to continue calling people 'ma'am' and 'sir' after they are adults. To me, it is not about superiority, it is about respect. It is not just about respecting the other person, it is also about respecting yourself. When you respect yourself, you should show respect to other people. It is about manners and being polite.
Since starting Tae Kwon Do, where we are all expected to call people 'sir' and 'ma'am', the children and I have begun calling people 'sir' and 'ma'am.' I noticed this within a week for the kids. I noticed it last week when I was in the emergency room. I called the nurse 'ma'am' and she gave me the funniest look. Now, I can tell you, I did not call her 'ma'am' because I felt inferior to her. In fact, she was getting a bit annoying. But, I do try to be respectful when speaking to people. It just sounds a little better than the typical southern 'honey'. This form of respect has fallen out of fashion. Well, really, any form of respect has fallen out of fashion. But, apparently, this particular form of respect has to leave the Senate.
Senator Boxer, ma'am, may I respectfully say, you're being ridiculous!
There are many people who are saying this is an issue of Senator Boxer disrespecting the military. Quite frankly, I think that is ridiculous, too. I don't think this was about the military, at all. I could be completely wrong. It could be about the military. But, I don't think so.
3 comments:
It's a little of both. Boxer has a history of dissing the military so her talking down to this General is not out of character for her. But mostly she's just a egotistical nut.
Well, I know she hates the military. She's quite out in the open about that. I'm just thinking that in this instance, it's more about being a femenist, egotistical git, than about hating the military.
I agree with you about the sir and ma'am thing. I've tried and tried to get my kids to respond with sir or ma'am, and STILL they only do it after sighs and prompting. Irritating!
I call people that I don't know sir or ma'am. I agree that it is a matter or respect and nothing to do with superiority, age, or a lack thereof.
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