3 thoughts on “Dear Sir or Madam

  1. theculturedredneck

    in my part of the states i hear and say “sir” and “ma’am” daily. the “sirs” i receive seem to come from all ages and walk of life. i’m sorry to hear that’s not dalrymple’s experience

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  2. Clinton

    That is certainly the case in the American South, culturedredneck, as we both know. But in New York last year I said “Thank you, ma’am” to an older woman running a bagel shop. She said, “Thank you, sir” and a female customer said “Sir and ma’am…we’re getting fancy around here!”

    In the Northeast US I only hear it when at a higher-end store, restaurant or hotel.

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