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Accomplished_Low_265 OP t1_j0j9uz5 wrote

Reply to comment by bri_like_the_chz in Lpt request-How to speak politely by Accomplished_Low_265

It's interesting. I heard of "sir" when I watch movies, it is used by soldier. So I thought it's kind of class societis words.( Can you understand what I mean? I don't know what to say) I learned something new. Thank you👍

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shouldco t1_j0k1vlh wrote

Yeah. Sir/ma'am is weird. It's basically the only formal pronoun we have and the only place you are universally expected to used them are in the presence of authoritarians like the military and the police.

Otherwise it can be used to show extra respect or to sarcastically mock somebody for acting authoritarian.

I would say the general guidelines would be always use it with police/authority figures. And it can be nice to add to a "thank you, sir/ma'am" (typically not toward children). And basically avoid it everywhere else until you feel more comfortable worth the language.

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d4rkh0rs t1_j0kod56 wrote

If your an american soldier (probably other places, traditions have roots) commissioned officers are Sir, if you watch any movies with basic military training someone will be yelled at for calling a sargent sir ("And don't call me sir, I work for a living")

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Accomplished_Low_265 OP t1_j0l2c0r wrote

I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you meant. I tried to interpret so I could understand, but I couldn't. If it doesn't bother you, could you tell me again so I could understand it. I'm sorry. I'm still learning English.

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d4rkh0rs t1_j0nedkg wrote

If it bothered me I wouldn't have responded the first time. :)

I'm hampered because people I usually help speak mexican spanish, I didn't know german and french had polite or professional forms until I read this thread.

What I said, hopefully clearer:

Someone, you? mentioned "sir" and war movies.

If you are an American soldier, American upper level officers are called sir. They are officially gentlemen and to be addressed as such.

Commissioned officers, commissioned has a specific meaning you don't care about right now, upper level is good enough.

I would not be surprised if the tradition was old and shared with other places, especially places they speak english.

if you watch any movies with basic military training someone will be yelled at for calling a sargent(teacher, low level officer) sir, "don't call me sir, I work for a living," They worked their way up and are too low a rank, they are not gentlemen.

if parts are still unclear tell me which and I'll try again (or yoi can ignore it, you don't care unless you're joining the miltary and they will make sure you understand if you join.)

As someone said we appreciate your efforts and respect your scholarship, but you're mostly worrying about things we don't care about. We're simple and please and thank you and a smile are probably enough.

No one has mentioned that the US is huge and the english speaking world is even bigger. Details will change. Civilized people which most of us are will give you lots of time to adapt and won't expect mastery, especially of reagonal details from a visitor or someone new to the area.

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Accomplished_Low_265 OP t1_j0npoos wrote

How kind you are😊 I understood much more than before. And Thank you so much. Especially as a language learner, I always become careful when I speak English. But many people tell me not to worry too much. I'm a little releived.

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