Quaint old custom or cringeworthy sycophantism?...

[TonyEnjoyD]

I called today to collect a carpet I had purchased at the weekend.
A guy who looked like the manager, maybe in his early 60's and almost as round as he was tall then started by saying " thank you, Sir,just follow me Sir, and I'll get your carpet for you ,Sir".
Then asked me where my car was and asked me if could kindly drive it to the rear door for him please,
All interspersed with and ending in "Sir"
At least 10 further "Sir"'s later I left actually feeling quite sick as I felt it was way over the top if not slightly sleazy.

Was this way over the top or Is this just me?

 

[Fnaar]

 

[Chromatic]

A little bit over the top, but mostly you, Sir.

 

[glenn forger]

At least he didn't ask you if you like your underfelt.

 

[Fnaar]

I know what @TonyEnjoyD means, but it kinda sounds OK when Americans say it...sounds very respectful, if perhaps a tad military.

 

[Maverick Goose]

Sir yes sir!

 

[Spinney]

What makes me cringe more is when they know your name and then use it in every sentence.

 

[Cubist]

I love the stunned silence when someone from say, Orange, asks me if it's ok to call me David, and I say no, its not. :-]

 

[Lullabelle]

I use sir when speaking on the phone to an older gentleman out of respect but don't use it all the time. I sometimes get called madam which I am not keen on

 

[Chromatic]

I know what @TonyEnjoyD means, but it kinda sounds OK when Americans say it...sounds very respectful, if perhaps a tad military.

My first wife worked for BT years ago and she dealt with business clients. One of those was an American military base here, they were by a very long way the most respectful and polite of all the clients she dealt with, always calling her ma'am, showing understanding if there were problems, always appreciative of her efforts to get things done and generally being exceedingly pleasant to deal with.

 

[Salad Dodger]

I would prefer to be called "sir" every so often in a shop, than "mate" which seems to be the norm in some places.

Having said that, I don't particularly like to be called "sir".

 

[Chromatic]

I love the stunned silence when someone from say, Orange, asks me if it's ok to call me David, and I say no, its not. :-]

How about Dave?

 

[jonesy]

I'd rather they called me 'sir' than 'yourself'..

 

[Fnaar]

I love the stunned silence when someone from say, Orange, asks me if it's ok to call me David, and I say no, its not. :-]

How about Dave?

I'm always tempted to say "Well, I sometimes go by the name of Rebecca, and I'd kind of like you to use that name, if you don't mind..."

 

[Chromatic]

I'm always tempted to say "Well, I sometimes go by the name of Rebecca, and I'd kind of like you to use that name, if you don't mind..."

Try it one day, see what reaction you get.