Michael Booth 7,364 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Some people like to be called Sir or Madam. One lady who didn't like being called Madam was Cynthia Payne in the seventies/eighties. Remember the men paying with Luncheon Vouchers?..lol. To some extent, I think a persons upbringing has a bearing on their attitude in later life. How many times have you seen a screaming kid with the mother screaming back at it. I don't mean babies, I mean kids of 4/5/6+. Their home life must be terrible. They grow up to think that this is normal behaviour, hence the rudeness and bad attitude. It's easy to look down on these people but, given a different childhood they'd have had a better chance in life. If I walk through a door and someone is approaching I'll always wait for them with the door open. It's very rare that they don't thank me. As for shop assistants calling you 'darling' and 'love', they're just being friendly and I'd never be offended by that. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,323 Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I agree with some of that Michael but not all,yes its their upbringing and thats changed for some and they mean well,but i do believe retail companys could do a lot more in teaching their staff some common curtisies,as for CYNTHIA PAYNE now she was a Madam.lol. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Booth 7,364 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I agree that being addressed as sir or madam is perhaps correct and shows that the customer is being treated with respect. I would welcome this but, like I stated, I wouldn't mind being greeted in a less formal and more friendly way. By the way, you've been coming up with some good topics lately. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Enigma. 1,533 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 im always polite - but if manners dont cost nothing why are some people so tight fisted with them lol 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,880 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 It's nice to be important, but its more important to be nice. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,584 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 This is sort-of relevant to this thread. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Is that referring to the ability of the child? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 I notice on American Cop Shows stopped motorists are usually addressed as Sir. Over here more often than not it's Mate. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
colly0410 1,189 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 When a copper pulled me over it went like this "Do you know what the speed limit is Sir?" me (looking terrified) "Err, 40 I think" "no, it's 30 Sir & you were doing 35, will you step out of the car please Sir." I then got a bollocking with lots of 'sirs' in it & told me if he caught me again I'd be for the high jump. At least he was polite. Phew lucky escape.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,323 Posted May 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 The best copper that pulled me,asked me "what do you know about this car?"(for some reason it had been reported stolen) it was a Rover 75 all the gubbins,i replied "its bloody lovely heated seats sun roof terrific sound system etc",he said dont f..k about sir,terific i thought and real bless him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 The wife was buying shoes and I sat nearby. A family entered and a girl started trying shoes standing up but as there were no seats left, I offered mine. Then this, well, I can only call her a woman, said, "You stay where you are. You're older than her"! This was certainly true but I asked what she was implying, which gave the shoe trying girl hysterics. Some polite people can be offensive! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mary1947 2,112 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 When teaching hairdressing NVQ 2 Customer Service came in and trying to teach 16-18year olds was a nightmare. If I am in a shop and being served by a grumpy shop assistant I am sorry but I can't help myself I will always ask them if they are happy in there work and this always gets a smile, if not I just tell them that there's always someone to take their place. Other times do you find when waiting to be served you go invisible? I agree with Catfan and Benjamin 1945 Go to USA Customer Service is excellent 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 I will attest to US police being polite and understanding far beyond our UK police. I was in Boston, and as is my usual practice when I am affected by time differences, I went for a walk. This was late at night, possibly after midnight. I left the hotel and immediately outside of the hotel door was a man wearing a leather jock strap and covered in foam, and nothing else. Perhaps understandably I found this difficult to comprehend, and when I was invited to join the party (a splash and dance party - I dont know what it is and I dont wanna know) I freaked out. Within seconds I was surrounded by many others wearing not a lot more than foam and leather. The police arrived very rapidly and for the first few seconds they were totally incapacitated by laughter. Apparently my eyes were wider than saucepan lids. Very quietly the police explained that there was a gay bar in the basement of the hotel and that it was nothing to be concerned about. With my last vestige of common sense left, I asked that if I walked into Boston Common wearing just a jock strap would they arrest me? They said "No Sir, that is normal here. Not an offense" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Braddy 160 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Went into a sports shop on clumber street for some clothes with my family for my 5 year old grandson and went downstairs to a dark dismal room the staff was dressed in crap sports wear, never smiled never said can I help you, went to pay for the goods, again never smiled just rolled up the sports clothes [not folded] and put in the bag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dgbrit 258 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Don't like them when they are polite. They are only after me money. I much prefer "Are you gonna buy owt if you aint stop touchin it. I aint got all day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,800 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Was in a shop a while back and the female assistant kept calling me "Darling", "Baby" at every opportunity. I did'nt mind but Mrs Catfan was ready to claw her eyes out ! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,323 Posted May 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 YOU shop in Mansfield do you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbraborn 1,594 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I wish more young girls would call me darling. LOL. Mind you ANYTHING is better than some of the names I get called. More seriously. When I was a child, when I went on a bus with my mum, If any adult was standing, I was expected to give up my seat. I would still give up my seat to the elderly (even though I'm an old git myself). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,800 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 YOU shop in Mansfield do you? Not if I can help it ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,880 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I was in Mansfield last Saturday night, not the nicest atmosphere of an evening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Was in a shop a while back and the female assistant kept calling me "Darling", "Baby" at every opportunity. I did'nt mind but Mrs Catfan was ready to claw her eyes out ! I've experienced the same sort of thing and can only explain it by assuming the girls take one look, know I'm no kind of threat and, 'give the poor old sod a treat'! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,800 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I've experienced the same sort of thing and can only explain it by assuming the girls take one look, know I'm no kind of threat and, 'give the poor old sod a treat'! How right you possibly are ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 A taxi driver entered a police station to produce his driving documents in the 1970's. Copper: "This driving licence has expired, that's an offence!" TD: "No speak any English" "You were not licensed to drive a vehicle when you were stopped" "No speak English"... "I have to report you for driving without a licence!" "No understand? speak no English" etc. After several minutes of this... in exasperation... Copper: "GO! and don't drive any vehicle until you get a new licence!" TD exits front door of the police station... Copper: "excuse me I think you dropped that fiver?" TD puts hands in pockets and turns to look down behind him. Copper: Yer bleddy understood that dint yer! A true story I am reliably told. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
colly0410 1,189 Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 Copper pulled me over: "Will you blow into this bag Sir" me "why?" cop "My chips are too hot." I'll get me coat.. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN 1,118 Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 I find it very annoying and rude when people talk, mainly unnecessarily, in theatres, concerts and gigs, especially at small venues. It happened to me once at a small venue and I asked them to be quiet as people had paid to listen to the music not them and they stopped talking. A friend of mine once went to a gig and the artist on stage stopped performing and told someone to stop talking or leave. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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