I feel rather embarrassed?

Question

I work as a front desk receptionist at a hotel. This evening, this gentleman comes in to reserve a room. He is about 30 years old. As he leaves, I say "Thank you, sir!" He turns around and says "Don't call me sir." He says this very sternly and walks out. Now, mind you, we are in Texas. I was born and raised here and it is proper to call everyone ma'am or sir. I do it to people younger or older than me. I'll even say it to my friends and to children. It has nothing to do with age, just respect. I feel embarrassed that I offended this person. Is it really considered rude in some parts of the country to use this formality? If so, why?

Answer 1

Don't even let it get to you...you did absolutely nothing wrong. The guy obviously has a hair up his glass.

Answer 2

this man has an issue with his age if he was mad you called him sir. that's the only reason i've ever heard of for anyone being mad about it

Answer 3

Sounds like you just caught him at a bad time, but trust me, on this one, you were being perfectly polite.  Calling someone "sir" or "ma'am" is the polite thing to do if you don't know them, and they'll let you know what they prefer.  Too bad this "gentleman" was so unpleasant about it!  

Answer 4

Don't be embrassed, some people just aren't raised the same way and don't see it as being polite.  Personally, I don't think there are enough people out there who have manners like yours.

Answer 5

First of all, there is no part of the country where it is improper to address an adult as "Sir" or "Ma'am".

Some people find these form of address "make them feel old".

This is sheer insecurity on their part and completely immature.

You were (and I suspect will continue to be), perfectly correct and respectful in your use of these forms of address.

Anyone that objects to this behavior is not only being rude to you, but is identifying themselves as someone with a serious lack of maturity.

Answer 6

It is weird that people get so bent outta shape about this.  When you are working in a customer service job and need to say something to someone you can't just say "Hey You!"  You have to use some form of respect and Sir or maam or Miss is just that--don't be embarrassed!  Some people freak out about the dumbest things!

Answer 7

For some reason people don't like being called "ma'am or sir" because they think it makes them old. Don't worry about it. I do it too and I am a lot older than you (and very southern also). It is a sign of respect and good up-bringing. More than likely he was a yankee! :)

Answer 8

Don't be offended, you'll probably never see the jerk again.

Answer 9

He's just feeling older and apparently having some difficulty dealing with it.

I am called ma'am all the time; I hate it, but I don't kill the messenger.  I just try to accept that although I don't feel like a ma'am, apparently I look like one.

BTW, I'm in Texas too!

Answer 10

Sir is seen as a title of respect. Kind of strange he doesn't think so. Don't feel bad, you were showing him respect and he didn't understand it.

Answer 11

Don't feel embarrassed. You are polite. I am the same way & people get offended when I answer w/ ma'am or sir. They're the ones w/ the problem not you.

Answer 12

I can see why you're embarrassed you tried tobe professional and it back fired.,

But it looks like this guy has a foot stuck up his as s.

He shouldn't have taken it the wrong way.

I don't mind when people address me as "ma'am"

I do it to teens all the time.

Addressing me as "ma'am" makes me feel like they respect me and it's courtesy.

This loser is probably trying to relive his youth and wants to keep it that way and try to be hip even in his thirties so he's embarrassed about being addressed as "sir", as he is ignorant about it's meaning,,..nothing to do with old age, just respect.

Don't worry too much about it, as least he didn't put in a complain against you and made some huge lie up that got you in trouble, you can't please everyone!

Answer 13

no it's not rude and i commend you for having and using your manners. more people should be like you. that guy was just being a jerk. he probably thinks that it makes him OLD if someone calls him sir. if you see him again call him maam. he didnt say not to....

Answer 14

no he was probably in a bad mood or sumthin, u shouldnt feel embarrased about it  

Answer 15

Don't be embarrassed! You were being polite and he took it the wrong way. I think some people get offended because it makes them feel old but that's their issue.  

Answer 16

Nothing for you to  feel embarrassed about as you were very polite whereas he was plainly rude.

He was probably in a bad mood & you were on the receiving end of it.

Answer 17

dont be embarrased  

Answer 18

You are not rude.  If you see this jerk again I would try and let the loudest f**t I could and then make a big scene and point at him.

Answer 19

Should not have been that offended. Next time, refer to him as "gramps".

Answer 20

1.  An enlisted person in the military is not called "sir", which is a title applied to officers, only.  Someone who has lived their life in the military has it ingrained in them to not be called sir.  Most, however, will jokingly say something like, "Don't call me sir, I work for a living."  For him to be so stern about it may mean this one isn't the reason he was bent out of shape.

2.  A young person may feel as if "sir" ages them, especially if the two people in the conversation are near the same age.  (Again, his being stern about it was rude).

3.  People who know each other well but are on the same level may feel the "sir" is demeaning.  For instance, I have a co-worker who insists on calling me sir.  As we are on a very friendly basis, her formality leads me to think she's being rude - or overly formal when she should be more colloquial and relaxed.  This (obviously) wasn't the case you described.

As you were representing your company, calling him sir was the appropriate way to address him - showing a customer respect and courtesy.  There was no reason for his rudeness - you were treating him as you would any other valued guest at the hotel.  Being polite like you describe knows no geographical boundary - it's proper everywhere - even if not widely practiced.  You should NOT feel embarrassed.

Answer 21

He was rude to you.  He was your customer and you were just showing him respect.  Don't feel embarrassed...be the proud Texan that you are! :)

Answer 22

maybe next time he'll love it if you say "thanks you old f**t" LOL :p i guess he had a rough day or he thinks he's better than you either way he still seeems stuck up  

Answer 23

you didn't do anything wrong.  you were being polite and hospitable, which is part of why they choose you to be the front desk receptionist.  anyway, the young man  has issues of his own that have nothing really to do with you or the state he comes from.  you see it is not about the state he hails from but his state of mind.  he sees middle age coming around the corner for him.  he is afraid of that.  he wants to be peter pan all his life, or a toys r us kid, not every growing up.  that is why he objected to being called sir.  he has proved, he is no gentleman nor a gentle man.