|
QUESTION:When my mother decided I was old enough to answer the phone
coherently, she sat me down and told me what I should and should
not do. Simple things, such as responding to a rude "Who's this?"
from the caller, with a, "To whom do you wish to speak?" etc.
Then again, my mother also sat with me in the car anytime she took
me to a friend's house and together we recited the four Big Phrases:
"Yes ma'am. No ma'am. Thank you and Please." Only then would she
take me to the front door.
ANSWER: Cat, I applaud your mom for a job well done. Me, after hanging out with my
Southern-raised husband for 11 years and following his example, I say "yes,
sir" and "yes, Ma'am" all the time, even if I'm just being asked questions by
my furnace repair man. It's become more or less automatic for me, and I
think overall it just makes people feel good to be respected. However, a lot
of people are taken aback. Several people have asked Tom "So, when were you
in the Army?" when he actually never was.
|
|
|
|
