Do you ever call customers Sir or Madam over the phone at work and why? Do YOU like to be called Sir or Madam?

Question

Personally if his name's Bob Jones then I call him Bob Jones. If he asks me to call him Mr Jones then I call him Mr Jones. But I never call anyone Sir whereas quite a few of my colleagues do. Do you ever call customers Sir or Madam over the phone at work? Indeed, do you like to be called Sir or Madam yourself when you're the customer, or like me do you dislike this?

Answer 1

You have a mixed bag of answers here!  

Personally I use Mr/Mrs/Ms Surname unless asked otherwise.  I think you should refer to people how they ask you to.  Transferring calls I use the whole name so the person on the other end of the line knows exactly who it is.  

I don't use Sir or Madam because it's not natural to me (doesn't mean I lack in manners) and I hate being called Madam because it sounds like something you call someone when you're annoyed with them.  Emby said she uses Madam as a way of 'getting back' at rude clients which just proves my point.  I also use Gentleman and Lady if referring in conversation when the person is present.

Answer 2

I deal with customers on the phone a lot at work, but I've never called anyone Sir or Madam.  If I do say their name, it's just Mr/Mrs/Miss.

I would hate for someone to call me Madam, I prefer to be called my first name.

Answer 3

If the caller says, “This is Bob/Bobbie Jones, I want to speak with Tom Smith.” I always say, “Yes, Mr./Ms. Jones. Please hold while I connect you to Mr. Smith’s line. Thank you sir/ma’am.”

If the caller says, “I want to speak with Tom Smith” I always say, “Certainly. May I tell Mr. Smith who is calling please? Thank you sir/ma’am. Please hold while I connect you with his line.”

If Mr. Smith is not available, I return to the caller and say “I’m sorry, Mr./Ms. Jones, but Mr. Smith is not available to take calls at this moment. Would like his voice-mail or would you prefer to leave a written message? Yes sir/ma’am.”

Sir and madam are signs of respect – and you do respect all calls into your place of business, don’t you? After all, that’s what you were hired to do – answer calls respectfully and courteously.

Even if Mr. Jones says to call you Bob, continue to call him Mr. or Sir.

Remember, these people are not calling you. They really aren’t calling your boss. They are calling your BUSINESS. And therefore, should be offered the greatest respect you can give.

Answer 4

the last time i called anyone sir was over 20 years ago at school.

weve done a few cruises and the staff are fantastic,and always call you sir or madame,i told our regular dinner time waiter and said dont call me sir my names RIGGS. he said ok sir???

yes i exaggerated on the RIGGS bit,but no i dont like being called sir,but its drilled into these people i think to call you this. i suppose weighing things up,ive been called a h**l of a lot worse.

Answer 5

Personally, I don't call clients Sir or Madam either.  I have colleagues who do as well.  I don't like being called Madam.  It makes me feel old.  I prefer to be called Mrs. or by my first name.  Madam makes me feel like I am 95.  My husband has coworkers that call him Sir because it bothers him.  He has a saying "Don't call me Sir, I work for a living."  He says being called Sir makes him seem pretentious.   I think that some people might feel it is respectful to call someone Sir or Madam.  I don't happen to feel that way myself.  

Answer 6

I sure the h**l do.

Answer 7

Apparently, YOU were not taught manners!

Sir or Ma'am is the polite word!

like the younger generation greeting each other with what's up dude, or dogg?! -   ill mannered whippersnappers!

Answer 8

I only ever do this if I'm being sarcastic. As a receptionist I often answer calls from people who automatically assume I'm stupid - if I get a 'well to do' sounding customer I'll match their posh voice and when transferring the call I'll say something like "Do hold the line whilst I redirect your call Madam/Sir"... They never know I'm being equally as patronising towards them...

The thing I hate being called though is 'dear'.... It's so condescending!!!  

Answer 9

Maybe it's because I live in the south, but it is expected to call people ma'am and sir here. I expect to be called ma'am by people in customer service. I would be offended if they didn't. It has nothing to do with age. I'm 23 and I prefer to be called ma'am whether the person calling me that is 5 years old or 50 years old.

Answer 10

I dont like it. Im 21, and feel very uncomfortable when somebody who is blatantly older than me is calling me Madam. And at times it just seems like they're sucking up to me in order to try and get me to buy something.

I can understand why certain older ppl may like to be called sir or madam, as a mark of respect but generally I dnt think there's a need for it anymore

Answer 11

Never, ever - I think its hideous.

And don't EVER call me madam.

Like you I will say their first name unless otherwise requested. Also I make a specific point of pronouncing the surname correctly and remembering it. (People often get my surname wrong and is p!sses me off).

Its surprising how much it's appreciated that names are pronounced correctly!

EDIT - I am wondering if it's a cultural thing...?

In the UK Sir/ Miss was used when I was at school when addressing teachers, generally not used when we became adults. But I notice it's quite the norm in the US.

Answer 12

At my work when i answer the phone i state the company's name, and then tell them my name and may i take there's. That allows them to tell me how they want to be addressed, That's the problem solved for me.

Answer 13

In my experience, the only people who like it is teachers - people who crave respect from kids (instead of Mr Whatever, it's 'Sir'). Odd.

Answer 14

its call courtesy, i do it not because just to sound pleasant, do because i enjoy doing it

Answer 15

Unless they indicate otherwise, I call them Sir, Ma'am, or Miss. It's RESPECTFUL. If you take it to heart you may need to get over yourself a bit. They don't say it to make you feel old or put out in anyway. It's just polite and professional.