Is it just me, or do Louisianans always say "yes sir" and "yes mamn"?

[bluestateguy]

I heard there is a state law that public schoolchildren must address teachers this way? Maybe that's where it comes from?

It seems to me from many of these TV interviews that many Louisianans use "sir" and "mamn" as part of their daily conversation.

[supernova]

1. It's very Southern

Southerners in general do that. I still do, and I'm in my mid-40s. :-)

[MADem]

3. Also very military

I find it a polite form of address, and it is quite astounding how that small courtesy can really be helpful when you want to get things done--especially in areas where it is not commonly used.

[BamaGirl]

2. It's a Southern thing

;)

[bluestateguy]

6. But I don't see a lot of it in Austin

I do remember in an old interview seeing Louisiana native Britney Spears always say "yes mamn" to Katie Couric.

[BamaGirl]

12. Um, I hesitate to be the one to point this out lol

and I am not saying this is my feeling, but most Southerners east of Texas tend not to consider it Southern lol. You will hear it (ma'am/sir) here and in Ga and in all the places in the South I've ever been, even Tx lol. I can't explain Austin lol. :shrug:

[kstewart33]

4. In traditional families in Alabama...

Children say yes sir and yes ma'am to their parents. That's everyday behavior down south.

[On the Road]

5. It's All Through the South

I went to middle school in eastern North Carolina (Washington), and kids were expected to say "yes, ma'am". Sometimes even grown men used that expression.

I remember never getting an A in Conduct in the 6th grade due to the fact that I had just moved from New Jersey and didn't call the teacher "ma'am."

[AbbyR]

7. Don't know if they have to, but...

I do, and I'm past 50. I still call the former publisher at my paper "Miss Charlotte," and everyone old enough to be my father or mother is "ma'am" or "sir."

There are some good things about the south.

[bluestateguy]

10. I'm from California, and am not used to being called sir

If I get a job in the South I think I will ask my students to call me "Dr." or "Professor". "Sir" is just a form of address that seems too rigid for me.

[CottonBear]

13. The less formal address would be Mr. (first name).

For example, Mr. CB had a good family friend in Slidell named Mr. Nig (no kidding!) who used to take him crabbing and fishing on the lake and in Bayou Liberty.

[Taverner]

15. Same here

Even when being addressed as sir I always qualify

"Dude...its DUDE!"

[supernova]

19. Interesting

I consider "Dr" and "Professor" even more highbrow than "Mr"

It all depends on what you get used to I suppose.

They're right about the informal versions of "Mr (firstname)" and "Miss (firstname)"

[OldLeftieLawyer]

21. Give it a try

I'm a born and bred Northerner who took up residence in Virginia more than thirty years ago. It was quite startling to be addressed as "ma'am" when I was a young woman, even by men far older than I was then.

It is a gentle, affectionate, respectful form of address, and it does wonders to facilitate communication among oddly disparate groups, believe me.

If you get a job in the South, and you ask your students to call you "Doctor," let me, as a fellow Ph.D. as well as one holding a J.D., assure you that you'll be acting fraudulently, because, to be completely true to the rules, we are not entitled to be called "Doctor," a form of address reserved exclusively for Doctors of Medicine (the title's on loan to dentists, but only as a courtesy and only in the US).

Anyone with a doctorate who demands to be called "Doctor" is showing ignorance of customs and traditions.

I guess being called "Professor" would work if you were a full professor, but it would distance you mightily from your students. If that's something you'd prefer, that would work here in the South, but unless you're a full professor - if you're simply an assistant professor or an associate professor - you'd also be employing that title in a not-at-all legitimate manner.

Give the "sir' and "ma'am" business a try, if you get a job. If you don't, well, you're off the hook, then, aren't you, "Doctor"?

[3days]

8. Part of the Nola culture

along with addressing you as
Miss (first name)
or
Mister (First Name)

But nothing beats every person addressing you as "baby" or "honey" when you go to buy smokes or anything else for that matter.

[On the Road]

20. You Know it, Hon

Nothin' like Bal'mer.

[CottonBear]

9. It's a Southern thing. Our mama's make sure we are very polite.

It's always yes m'am and yes sir and please and thank you. We wrtie thank you notes too!

[napi21]

11. Yep, it's taught all over the South!

Some parents and teachers are more insistant than others.

I remember when I moved from Pa. to SC 18 years ago, I asked one of my new neighbors why this was. It made me feel like an old lady when her teenage son would always call me mamm or Miss XXXXX. I was 44 but sure didn't FEEL that old! This neighbor said all southern children are taught to address adults as Sir or Mamm as a sign of respect for their elders!

[short bus president]

14. southernisms

except it's not so much "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" as it is "yassir" and "yazzum." ;-)

[Left_Winger]

16. I'm from SC and I use it all the time

I even use it with my high school students to acknowledge them when they raise their hand to ask a question.

[LunaSea]

17. State law??

Legislation is not needed just to be polite.

Sir..

[Spangle]

18. Everyone use to be polite like that

But people started considering it was somehow connected to age. Women didn't want to grow up and be called "ma'am" and men didn't want to be "sirs". It ment they were "OLD."

Because kids were not given that respect. Only adults. It's a shock when a child calls you "Mamn" the first time. ;)

So... people COMPLAIN when they hear it. People have gotten on to me for years. As I got older, some even point out that they were my age or younger. And the point is?

I still say it. It doesn't mean that I think the other person is better then me (some do) or older then me (some see it that way).

Sadly, I rarely hear it said to me.

I am HIGHLY offended to be called "Sugar" and such crap at drive through windows. That is the kind of stuff said to people younger then you.. Like CHILDREN.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

22. Ahhh, don't be offended

I wasn't even thirty years old when the "ma'am" stuff started, and it really threw me until I understood where I was. I think it's quite lovely, especially when it comes from people older than I.

As for terms of affection, like "Sugah" and "Honey," well, I must confess that I'm guilty of doing that. Accompanied by a smile, it makes the smallest transaction a real pleasure.

In a world so lacking in simple courtesies and kindnesses, I embrace any and all of this especially attractive aspect of the Southern culture.

[Not_Giving_Up]

23. It's a southern thing

Respect!

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. No, they say "ma'am"

[SarahB]

25. It's cultural.

My dad grew up in Louisiana and he still does this. It's just considered good etiquette in that part of the country. Nothing wrong with that. :shrug: