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

[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::