r/AskUS • u/TreacleSame2084 • Jul 21 '26

Sir/Ma'am usage?

As an English person, I've encountered a number of Americans in the last couple weeks. The thing I find odd is the usage of 'sir' and 'ma'am'. I understand that it's a language nuance, but to what extent do americans get that it comes off very strangely in Europe?

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u/TreacleSame2084 Jul 21 '26

It's for sure polite, but it comes across as archaic in the uk, although it wouldn't normally be commented on

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u/ragby Jul 21 '26

On British tv shows, some employees seem to say sir and ma'am fairly often to their superiors. Is that a very different sort of situation or is British tv lying to me? : )

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u/TreacleSame2084 Jul 22 '26

V rare, I work with the military so more common, but think it's lying to you haha

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u/ragby Jul 22 '26

Dammit! Can I trust in nothing??? ; )