Cashier called out for being nice

[Becks]

I'd rather be called "hun" than "ma'am". Being called "Ma'am" makes me think I should be using a walker or something...

[Giggle Goose]

Where I'm from we use the term "hon' a heckuva lot and I think it's the cutest thing I guess it turns some people off, but it's not a big freaking deal. People just need to chill out!!!

[DesignFox]

I usually address men as Sir. I try to steer away from Mam for women because I did have a customer joke to me that it made her feel old...so now unless the woman is clearly in her 50's or older I try to use Miss. No matter what I just try to be friendly and respectful. No one has ever yelled at me for that! And I certainly don't mind being called Hon...what's the big deal if someone is trying to be friendly to me? Geez that guy was uptight. Besides, when dealing with a sales associate- I mean, how long will you be talking to them, anyway? So what if they use a term that is generally friendly, but you don't care for for the two seconds you have to deal with them.

[AFpheonix]

Got a gut who was pissy that I didn't add the honorific to the greeting. Even demanded that I end every thing I say to him with 'Sir'. After the ass-chewing I got I started giving this guy the...

"SIR YES SIR!"
"SIR NO SIR!"
"SIR THAT IS IN AISLE 5 SIR!"
"SIR! I'M SORRY SIR, WE RAN OUT OF THAT ITEM YESTERDAY SIR!"
"SIR! IF YOU LEAVE YOUR NAME SIR I'M SURE WE CAN GET THAT IN BY WEDNESDAY SIR!"

...treatment. All the while standing at rigid attention and saluting.

What, your boss didn't tell you to get on your knees and choke yourself? Oh my god, I would have died laughing.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Let young people call you "ma'am" or "sir." Manner and respect are so rare, they should be encouraged. Even if you don't think you are old enough to bear that title.

I had a guy not only call me that but remove his cap. I was stunned. Stunned, impressed...and more than a little a-flutter.

[Tria]

What, your boss didn't tell you to get on your knees and choke yourself? Oh my god, I would have died laughing.

"Not with your hand!"

I spent that whole scene thinking "Okay, what racial slur is that for?" and "Please, someone say 'Sir you seem to know about about it, sir!'"

[Retail Associate]

Even though I don't really like it when strangers call me hon, it's much better than "Hey you!" or when they address me by my name. I really hate it when customers use my name like we know each other. It just ticks me off.

[Deceptitech]

Sir

I have never been one for "Sir". I am pretty informal, and when someone calls me sir at a checkout, I always reply with the same thing.

"Please, call me Deceptitech. Only Lawyers call me 'sir'. mine, and other people's."

[Imogene]

I hate getting any gender labels, personally.
"Sir" in particular, pisses me off. I do my best to look androgynous for a reason, damnit.
"Ma'am" doesn't bother me as much, but I'm still not fond of it.

The major problem, is there really isn't a pronoun like that for the third gender.

[PuckishOne]

That putzface would have been regaled with my best sarcastic, Dave-Lister-style "Yes sah! Mister Rimmer sah!!" after an outburst like that. Dude, just take your meds and get back to your room before bedcheck.

[Spiffy McMoron]

I've never been a fan of being called "hun". It just seems like it's a little too intimate for general use-that's something that yourgirl/boyfriend calls you. I've always prefered to call people by their first name if I knew it, and if I didn't, then I would call them Sir or Ma'am. When cashiers and the such call be "hun", I can't help but think of some gum-chewing big-haired Jersey girl.

[Mike Taylor]

That putzface would have been regaled with my best sarcastic, Dave-Lister-style "Yes sah! Mister Rimmer sah!!" after an outburst like that. Dude, just take your meds and get back to your room before bedcheck.

Score one Geek Point for the Red Dwarf reference.

Personally, I would have told him to lighten up before his arteries harden. This isn't necessarily a behavior of former military, though. I've worked with some very professional, but very laid back, former Marines. Conversely, I've dealt with some uptight, petty civilians who have never worked a day in their lives. I've also met people who get just as pissed as this jerk when someone calls them "sir" or "ma'am" because they think its condescending.

[Sofar]

Okay, now I have no idea what to call people. Do you all have a different preference?

[LostMyMind]

Sure, why not. "HEY, you" seems to work :duck the flying tomato cans:

[DesignFox]

All this reminds me of a teacher I had in High School. She had earned her doctorate in Anthropology. God help you if you called her Mrs. or Ms. instead of Dr.