How old to be called Sir?

[ownels]

Sir and Ma'am are almost always used even to my 5 year old. My boys know to call everyone Sir or Ma'am unless it is a friend. Also Mr. and Mrs. to all of there friends parents.

[BrokenJ]

Never too young or old, it's a respect thing, not an age thing.

This ^ I call some men sir and others by name no matter the age. All about respect.

[Mac...]

No age - I catch my kids not saying Sir or Ma'am when talking to an adult, they get -corrected- pretty quick.

[NativeTexan90]

As a kid I got smacked if I didn't address folks as Sir or Ma'am lol

[muzzlebrake]

You don't need to be a fossil to be called sir. It's a term of respect.
I had to call 20 year old 90 day wonder lieutenants SIR when I was in the Army.

[justincorbell]

age doesn't matter, attitude and maturity level do. when I was younger I knew a couple guys as young as 21-22 that deserved to be called sir and to this day I know 40-45 yr olds that in no way shape or form deserve to be called sir.

[LuBowhunter]

I've been called sir since 21 but that's been due to me being in uniform on patrol since the day I was old enough to be.

[gooserbat]

I'm 38 and it always gets my attention howbeit appreciated.

[DTala]

I address most everyone, regardless of age, as sir or maam. At 65 years old I'm still scared my daddy will rise out of the grave and tan my butt for failing to do so.

[cj7zrcool]

I say it ALL the time, but even @ 51, I'm still not real comfortable being called it.

[JANSLEY817]

If you are a male, and I believe you deserve the respect, I call you sir regardless of age. Same thing with ma'am.

[JonBoy]

I was taught to address my elders as "sir". Didn't matter if they were 1 day older or 40 years older. But as a habit I just address everyone as "sir" or "ma'am"

[jer_james]

In my opinion it is not about age. I refer to waiters and waitresses by Sir and Maam. Even little guys around my kiddos friends if they hold the door or grab something for me.

[mmoses]

I have called young children Sir and Ma'am. No age from me.

Side note, my wife had an argument with my yankee mil about teaching my daughter to say sir and ma'am.

[jer_james]

I have called young children Sir and Ma'am. No age from me.

Side note, my wife had an argument with my yankee mil about teaching my daughter to say sir and ma'am.

Everybody has their right, but I had a young Woman, not get mad, but tell my Son that she felt old when he called her Maam. Said she didnt want Him to.

Have had others at work tell me the same.

I guess I just dont understand how respect is associated with age.