Question for Americans

[thismaz]

So I was watching Supernatural the other night and noticed how Dean and Sam kept calling their Dad 'Sir'. Is that like the norm in the US? Or does it betray their social background? regional origins? Something else? Is it only sons who would do that, or would daughters also call their Dad 'Sir'. Do they call their Mom 'Marm'?

It sounds so weird and formal and distant to my British ears.

Maybe it's me.... Question for British readers - any of you call your Dad 'Sir'? (You don't have to answer if you are a member of the royal family - we'll just assume you do)

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

Is that like the norm in the US?
No way in hell! *lol*
Or does it betray their social background?
Yes, as in, it isn't so much done to illustrate where they grew up (region or otherwise) but how they grew up.

It's to show how much they are not like other kids. They weren't raised normally. Most parents want their kids to grow up, get a good education, have a good life. While we know their dad wants them to be happy, we've already seen how he reacted to Sam's education. With a lot of families it is almost expected that you will go to college, even if you don't want to. This dad wanted them to be hunters, like him. They were raised to be demon killers, skilled warriors. And I think (at least my opinion) is that the 'sir' is to show he expected them to treat him like a commander and not a father.

The only time I've heard 'sir' used in a "normal" fashion was with a suitor. Other than that it's used in military type families, much like Sam and Dean. Where the emphasis is on structure and discipline. *shiver*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Well, that's a relief. I got a bit worried about the whole 'two peoples separated by a common language' thing for a moment, there . Thanks.

Now you mention it, yes, the other times I have heard it has been in movies where the guy is meeting his father-in-law, or prospective father-in-law, for the first time. And you are right, Dean's and Sam's Dad does bark orders at them like a drill sergeant.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

That's what I picked up anyway. I could double check about the region thing because my husband grew up in Lawrence, where we met when going to college, the same town the Winchesters are from.

[twilightofmagic.livejournal.com]

I've noticed too, in TV representations of university or even high school classrooms, the style of the teachers is somewhat military--sharp questions, sometimes barked out, the teacher very much in control of the room, pacing, demanding the students come up with good answers, dismissing wrong answers or uncertainty. Obviously, all that is more dramatic than other styles. But it's so commonly that way I wonder, is that what classrooms at uni or high school are like? Is it a common style in fact?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

Actually this is more subjective based on lots of things. First the state. Each state has its own school system and peculiarities. Kansas either doesn't teach evolution or it does teach intelligent design. I can't remember which, but stuff like that can really affect how the students are taught. Then is the type of school. There are some schools where you are lucky if the teacher cares that you are there. They simple recite, you write as they talk, the bell rings, you leave. Other schools have a much more engaging mission statement. Magnet schools for instance. Getting the students involved and excited about their education as opposed to spitting out oft repeated dates and names.

Then you get the maverick teachers. The ones that don't give a hoot where they teach, as long as you are learning. This is much more a la 'Dead Poet's Society' or 'Stand and Deliver', both based on true stories I believe. Where the teacher is challenging but loved.

And if you are American and I rambled for no reason, ignore me.

In other words, our education system is so varied it's hard to say it's normal, but also hard to say it's not. It all depends on where you are and who is your instructor.

[twilightofmagic.livejournal.com]

Canadian here so your answer was very interesting. I asked because of how commonly the style (on TV) was fairly uniform, but it makes complete sense with such regional variation in a country as large as the US that there would be great variety in real schools and real teachers. Ramble on whenever you want, Sharvie. Always happy to hear what you have to say (or show ;-)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

***But it's so commonly that way I wonder, is that what classrooms at uni or high school are like? Is it a common style in fact?***

But it wasn't like that on Buffy, itself - the Eng Lit teacher Marcie almost killed, the Biology teacher Mantis Lady did kill, Jenny - they engaged with the students lots.

I had a conversation with Maggie about the US education system a while ago, and she made the point that local control, but more importantly, local funding were major contributing factors to the variability - poorer areas get poorer schools because the local authorities have less money to spend on anything and the schools loose out too. I am not saying that devolution is wrong in any way - it was just something I didn't know.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Um... when I lived in the south as a child, I picked up the "sir" "ma'am" habit for a few months just because my friends did it. So, I think it's regional. Of course, when we moved back to the midwest after a few months, I stopped. My mom said she was relieved because it creeped her out a bit too.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

I thought I was joking with the "ma'am" question. *g*

I can imagine it would be a bit freaky, if your child suddenly started calling you ma'am. Although, in other circumstances (and with a particular accent) it is a term I really like - once when I was 24, 25, something like that, I had to phone NASA for work and I accidentally got through to the scientist in charge of the programme. I asked him the question my bosses wanted and he called me "ma'am". He was obviously at least middle aged, from his voice, and I was *so* charmed. No one had ever used such a term towards me, it made me feel special.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

NASA in Florida? That would support the regional theory. I certainly never heard ma'am/sir in the midwest or southwest.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right - NASA in Florida.

Sharvie, up above, says the Winchesters are from Lawrence. I've just been searching around, looking to find out which Lawrence - Mapquest gives me a choice of 10. But there is one in Alabama and one in Texas.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

Kansas, I bout fell out of my chair when I saw that cross the screen. It's the home of the Jayhawks! (That's our school mascot. Some people who follow college basketball know about KU - University of Kansas, because our team kicks butt.)

According to local urban legend aka my husband, and a movie or two somewhere, about 14 miles outside of town, in another town called Stull, is an old church which houses one of the seven gates of hell. I shit you not! He doesn't know anything else, or how this legend came about or where the ideology comes from, it was just one of those things you knew growing up in a small town. I'm thinking it's why they chose Lawrence to be their hometown. It might play into the show somehow.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Lawrence, Kansas, huh? - Oh well, that doesn't support Litgal's theory of southern terminology - although it doesn't contradict it either. You are probably both right - there is a regional element to the use of the word 'Sir' and there is a social (military style) element, too.

Good to know that I gave you a laugh, though. As you will have guessed, my knowledge of the US is severely limited.

Thanks for the clarification.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

I wasn't laughing at you, hun. I meant when I saw my college town's name on the screen when the show premiered. And my knowledge of anything not American is sadly limited, so don't feel bad.

And I got more info from hubby! He says that while his friends didn't call their dads 'sir'. They called his dad 'sir', even though he didn't call anyone 'sir'. For what that is worth. *shrug* I'm from California. Unless someone was signing your paycheck you never heard 'sir'. *lol*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

No, honest - I meant it - I would have been glad if you had a laugh. Didn't at all feel laughed at, more laughed with. Should have put a smiley face there. Sorry, to give the wrong impression.

*Grin* What a respectable lot you Californians must be - I wouldn't even use 'sir' to the guy signing the check. :-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sharvie_/]

Ah good. I'm just glad I didn't offend you after only a few days. *lol* I've had issues with people on LJ in the past and now take a direct approach when I think things might have been misunderstood. Nip it in the bud, so to speak. Makes things easier as I tend to dwell. Not to worry. *g*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I am *so* glad you replied to this. I was afraid you might think 'leave it, best not to risk making misunderstanding worse'. You are so right to be direct. I tend to dwell, too. Thank you, again. ::reminds self to read more carefully and use smiley faces more::