I've changed, and I'm not sure that I'm happy about it.

**Alan H** · 9th August 05, 10:27 AM

yesterday I was wearing my Bear kilt MacNaughton to work and I walked over to the student union for lunch. There were four guys, late teens, doing bike tricks around White Plaza.... you know, wheelies, riding wheelies and jumping from one concrete seat to another...that sort of X-Games fun. Lots of kids do that stuff hereabouts.

OK, well I'm just walking along, and one of the guys shouts out....."I really like your kilt, sir!"

another one shouts, "yeah, it's COOL".... Which of course, it is. But wait a minute........

..........all fine and good, but I have a question. When did I metamorphose into someone that people call "Sir"? I mean, SIR?????

ME?????

I'm not sure that I like this change, ya know? LOLOL!!! Not sure if I can deal with being cool and respectable at the same time.

**chasem** · 9th August 05, 10:31 AM

I would take it as a good thing! I get people calling me sir, and I'm only 21

I call men "Sir" all the time though. I was raised that it was a sign of respect, and not just for people far older than you. I call the 17 year old kid behind the cash register at Wal Mart "sir." Not so much because he is superior in any way, but because he's doing a service or job for me.

**sav** · 9th August 05, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by chasem

I would take it as a good thing! I get people calling me sir, and I'm only 21

I call men "Sir" all the time though. I was raised that it was a sign of respect, and not just for people far older than you. I call the 17 year old kid behind the cash register at Wal Mart "sir." Not so much because he is superior in any way, but because he's doing a service or job for me.

Ditto. For me, It's a reflection of how I was raised. And remember, the kilt adds an aura of respectability!

**Doc Hudson** · 9th August 05, 11:00 AM

Another ditto here.

I can well remember the time in a coffee shop when I said "Yes, m'am" or "No, m'am," to a waitress who was young enough to be my daughter. After a few visits, she shyly said, "Sir, you don't have to call me 'm'am,' I'm lots younger than you."

I replied, "I was taught to treat all women like ladies until they proved themselves otherwise and then treat them like ladies anyway."

Same for using "Sir" as a term of respect. Just be glad they young men were treating you in a respectful manner, and enjoy it.

**Macman** · 9th August 05, 12:12 PM

Great to hear such a positive story, Alan. Those young men were brought up right.

But I understand what you mean about being called "Sir". For me, it was the first time I was called "Mister". "Mister?" I thought? Isn't that my dad? Nope, it's just me moving along the old timeline. It kind of goes along with noticing that they're hiring a lot of very young policemen, or the first time you go to the clinic and are looked after a doctor who is younger than you are. Ah well, time marches on, and it's good.

**bubba** · 9th August 05, 01:36 PM

Whenever someone calls me sir or mister I tend to look around to see if my dad's there.

**Kilted Stuart** · 9th August 05, 02:19 PM

That dosen't happen very often these days. The youth of today are more likely to say something bad than good ( not all but enough). Just when I start to wonder about kids these days a story like this comes along. It proves to me again there are good kids out there.

Nice story.

**Iolaus** · 9th August 05, 03:08 PM

Kind of the opposite here.

At the end of the school year, last year, my wife (a teacher) had to move her stuff to a new classroom. Her 19 yr old son showed up one day to help her and I showed up the next. Later, the substitute secretary at the front desk complimented her on what nice sons she had.

She's only 3 yrs older than me; apparently I wear my 42 years well.

**GMan** · 9th August 05, 03:35 PM

Yes sir! I really do admire someone who shows a little bit of respect. Of course the kilt does bring out respect, at least that is what I have noticed. Anybody with any amount of cooth will show respect. And of course I know Alan that you were walking tall and proud!

**Shay** · 9th August 05, 03:42 PM

I remember I used to get ma'am from a guy who was three years older than me on the basis that I was married and had a kid, he was so sweet. He said his mom always taught him single women are miss, married women and mothers are ma'am. I'm still Ms. on any correspondence, it's disconcerting to get mail addressed to Mr and Mrs John Smith, though. I know some women like it, I always saw that as, "Dear Sir and addendum.." LOL!

Being in the military makes you say sir and ma'am a lot more than other folks, too. Maybe you caught the admiring eye of an off-duty soldier or soldier's kid!