Neighborhood etiquitte

[SCO]

Thought I'd run this one by ya'll. I'm around the 1/2 century mark, and my neighbor is about 30, and always calls me "sir" (some 3 years now). I find myself taking offence at this though I've said nothing. I guess I'm not ready to be seen as "Mr. Wilson" yet. Next time he calls me sir I'm thinking of asking him if I should call him young man, or telling him if he can't address me by my first name then just don't address me. Does this ring true with anyone else?

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

Hey SCO, just start calling him sonny.<br /><br />Just kiddin. <br /><br />He's just trying to be respectfull, and that's a rare thing today. Maybe you should not take it so personally, and accept the respect he is showing you.<br /><br />I understand that you would rather him call you by your first name, why don't you invite him over for a beer and discuss it?<br /><br />Just an idea, take it as you may.<br /><br />Personally, if I were you, the next time you see his parents at his house, you should go over and congradulate them on the good job they did raising a respectfull man.

 

[pmueller]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

SCO, I don't know if I'd take offense. Maybe he's x-military or x-military brat or his folks taught him to respect his elders and call them sir. Next time, just say something like, "you know, we've been neighbors for sometime now, and probably will be for a good deal to come, so from now on, please call me SCO".

 

[DJ]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

SCO,<br /><br />Accept it. Someone is trying to show you some respect.<br /><br />If more people acted that way, our society would be better off.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

As someone who just hit 40 and works at a college, I'm often called sir by 18 to early 20+ year olds and am not really bothered by it. Of course, I'm sure I even call folks younger than me sir and mam - depends on situation and whether I know person well or not. I don't consider it an age thing as much as a respect thing when an adult calls another adult sir/mam. With children, its respect your elders type deal though. Next time he calls you sir, just politely tell him to just call you by your name.

 

[JB]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

I get that often, SCO.<br /><br />I feel honored when it happens, but I often respond with, "Thanks, but please call me JB."

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

I agree that he is trying to be respectful<br />Its to bad more young people didn't try to put<br />in an effort. I think you may just not be used<br />to that kind of respect, as you don't see much<br />of it any more.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

i agree with all above AND ...........<br />I like IT

 

[SCO]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

Ok, it's just me after all. I was thinking a lot of you would identify with that. Glad I asked . Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

SCO, I'm not sure where you live but I live in the south and was raised to address people as Sir or Ma'am, say yessir and no ma'am. Its a matter of respect for your elders. NOT SAYING THAT YOU'RE OLD or anything, Heck I'm 45. Maybe its the way he was raised. Tell him that you'd appreciate it if he'd just call you by your first name or how ever you want to be addressed. He'd appreciate you seeing him as an equal instead of some young whipper snapper.<br /><br />Just my two cents worth.

 

[mrmargaritaville]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

unless it's a 19 year old waitress at Hooters that you are hitting on that keeps calling youu sir, I woulldn't worry too much about it.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

I obviously never met this man, but I know for a fact I like him.<br />Like JB, I usually would just tell them to call me Sean.<br />But it already has told me a bunch about his upbriningin.

 

[miloman]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

hey I see no problem with that Im 34 and when I meet a distinguished (older) man I refer to him as sir also I think it is respect for his years and the knowledge he might empart on me

 

[neumanns]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

Yeah what they said: I believe Sir is simply a show of respect regardless of age, perhaps rather than asking him not to you could simply adress him as sir to let him know you are on equal ground. Equals usally do not use prefixes once they are better acquinted.

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

Im 51 and kinda like the sir thing, but most of my neighbors call me rick along with other names if I run the outboard or am in the shop working after dark. SCO had your problem at one time, I talked to him and his wife over coffee on morning and its rick and bill now. Can always count on him to help when its needed.<br /><br />Do agree though when and if you meet his parents congradulate them on doing a fine job.

 

[cotterman]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

i called a police officer "sir" last week, just happened to be a female cop!!!!! doohhh

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Neighborhood etiquitte

I would have to concur with all the above.<br /><br />It is just a sign of respect on his part and that is hard to find nowadays.<br /><br />Don't think nothing about it.<br /><br />Could be calling you worse names for sure.