Hillarysworld

buffaloboy · Moderator

Miss Manners comments on SENATOR Boxer's comments (9/2/09 Washington Post)

freespirit · Moderator

Well, I'm glad that was an appropriate way to address the senator, and not just a condescending, veiled attempt to be less than respectful. Sometimes it can sound that way, to me. But, then, to be fair, it is my perception, not the speaker's.

Too bad the question was not about Nancy P. I can think of a lot of ways I'd like to address her - none of them appropriate for a family forum, though. lol

Calico · Moderator

From what I understand, the military is taught to address others as "Sir" or "Ma'am". He was just following protocol and being respectful. Boxer was just being "snooty", in my opinion.

And, many people are taught by their family to address others in this manner. And, in the South, it is commonly used.

Personally, I always felt that Ma'am and Sir were "reserved" for "older" people and I really don't want to be called "ma'am", but that is just me. cry

Alex · Diamond

I LOVE Miss Manners! She wrote one of the funniest things ever, when asked about someone opening her husband's mail because she thought he was cheating on her. Miss Manners said something to the effect of:

"Cheating on one's spouse or being cheated on is part of the human condition, but opening someone else's mail is despicable!" biggrin

I would heartily recommend Miss Manners' books!

Hillarysmygirl16 · Administrator

I raised my kids to use Ma'am and Sir. When I address my kids I expect to be answered yes ma'am thats the way I was raised and that is the way I raised my kids.

Alex · Diamond

Hillarysmygirl16 wrote:

I raised my kids to use Ma'am and Sir. When I address my kids I expect to be answered yes ma'am thats the way I was raised and that is the way I raised my kids.

I got in trouble if I DIDN'T use "ma'am" and "sir"!

JustTheFacts · Super Moderator

Calico wrote:

From what I understand, the military is taught to address others as "Sir" or "Ma'am". He was just following protocol and being respectful. Boxer was just being "snooty", in my opinion.

And, many people are taught by their family to address others in this manner. And, in the South, it is commonly used.

Personally, I always felt that Ma'am and Sir were "reserved" for "older" people and I really don't want to be called "ma'am", but that is just me.

That is correct. If you failed to address someone as "sir" or "maam" in the military, you would be reprimanded.

It is considered a sign of respect in the military, and that's just the way it is. Its one of the first things you learn in boot camp.

Boxer showed her complete ignorance and made a fool of herself.