My parents raised me to always say “yes sir” and “no ma’am”, and I automatically say it to service workers and just about anyone with whom I’m not close that I interact with. I noticed recently that I had misgendered a cashier when saying something like “no thank you, ma’am” based on their appearing AFAB, but on a future visit to the store they had added their pronouns (they) to their name tag. I would feel bad if their interaction with me was something they will remember when feeling down. This particular person has a fairly androgynous haircut/look and wears a store uniform, so there’s no gender clue there.
I am thinking I need to just stop saying “sir” and “ma’am” altogether, but I like the politeness and I don’t know how I would replace it in a gender-neutral way. Is there anything better than just dropping it entirely?
For background I’m a millennial and more than happy to use people’s correct pronouns if I know them!
I think just go the Invader Zim route and infer honorifics by height.
“Yes, my tallest” and “forgive me, my tallest” should cover you in most yes/no situations.
And if they’re not taller than you? Well then they’re less intelligent, so you can turn up your nose in scorn and look over heads until they go away.
I learned a lot of about social interaction from that show.
Funny, but problematic. I know it’s a joke.
I like the idea to use unexpected cumpliment, as “my connoisseur”, “my most esteemed”, “my commander”, “my captain”, “my sibling”, “my comrade”, “boss”, “friend”, or something.
Pointing at physical characteristics? Not as amazing.
Come to brasil where people are called champion, master, professor, doctor, or warrior.
Saying thanks to the cashier? “Thanks, doctor”
Edit: But Portuguese is gendered so I guess this doesn’t avoid the original problem… except in English it would
Commander, captain, uncle, brother, comrade, Chief, big friend Bring us down another round
Worse? Or better?
If they are short do you use “Short <king/queen/sovereign>” instead?
No, you call them “shorty” and make wild claims about it being their birthday