Wednesday, July 16, 2008

No Sir!

I've only got a handful of irritations, aggravations and annoyances that nudge the needles in the red, but the one that'll really do it every time and have me cringing my shoulders and bristling like a badger is being called "Sir" in shops.

What fancy Dan grandness was afoot last time I was on the wrong end of this instore display of over embellishment, fawning and foreluck tugging? Buying a £5 hat at T K Maxx, that's what! If I'd had a pound for every time it was used during this sale, I could've paid for the hat and still had change.

Five Earth pounds on a summer tifter (as seen in my facebook photos) and I'm treated and greeted like the King of China. It's not polite - it's a pantomime

I haven't called anybody Sir since leaving school, so why should anyone else* have to?

*The exception being Police Officers, Traffic Wardens and cold callers.

14 comments:

Jon Peake said...

It' s when it's said by people who are younger than you are - somehow I don't feel it's sincere. In the US, it's code for calling you a c**t, apparently.

What I hate most though, is being called 'love' by people younger than me.

Cocktails said...

Obviously I don't get the Sir problem but Madam is equally annoying. It always just feels false and insincere. Like, F-C though, what I hate even more is being called love by people younger than me, particularly cocky lads in their early 20s.

Also bad: assuming that I want to drink in a Walkabout because of my accent!

Piley said...

imagine how pissed you'd have felt if he'da called you ma'm for the whole transaction... Do let us know any other chinks in your armour tho Mondo, it's always good to store em up and use em in timesa trouble ;-)

P

Mondo said...

FC the Americans are dreadful, I had to go through a US helpdesk recently - half of it was guff and gush "how are you today ", "hope it's a beautiful day where you are", (and on and on). I felt like smashing the bastard handset to smoke and shrapnel.

Cocktails - How do you feel about 'treacle', have you had that one yet?

P - I'm keeping hush unless anything else gets me boiling over, rather than bubbling under.

Suzy Norman said...

Being called 'madam' has made me feel like an old trout in my younger years, but living in London, it's so rare to be treated in an old fashioned style that I think I'd rather welcome it now if it were to happen.
I've never been offended by 'love' or 'darling', I think it's quite warm, if a little patronising, but it's harmless nonetheless.

Cocktails said...

No, haven't ever been called 'treacle'. Not yet, anyway. I could cope assuming that it's not said by a 21 year old!

Mondo said...

'Love' 'Darling' aren't too bad are they - and quite quaint and old fashioned (and also a great escape if you've forgotten someone's name) - not that I use either. I can't stand couples that call each other "Ba..." .

No, It's no use I can't even bring myself to type the word - that pig film - you know the one.
*sounds of projectile vomiting*

Phil Norman said...

The ticket barriers were fritzed at my local tube this morning, so stood by the big manually-operated flap was a middle aged Carribean inspector, who waved everyone through with a cheery 'Good morning, my darling!' regardless of gender, age or hardness. Everyone seemed to take it in good part. Maybe this is the way forward?

Mondo said...

I used to work with John from Jamaica, who called most of the women 'Modom'. No one seemed to mind.

Axe Victim said...

Blog meet. Details on my site for a right royal knees up.

E F RICE said...

Understand where you are coming from here Mondo, I always tend to get called sir by salesman wanting me to part with high volumes of cash, or of course when I'm pulled over by the Police !

Axe Victim said...

You'd hate it around my gaf mate. Me and Mrs. A are total babes. It's our age showing y'see me Ducks.

Mondo said...

EFR - have you been caught dogging again?

AV
*shakes fists and makes grrring noises*

E F RICE said...

Erm no ... not this time !