Quote Originally Posted by CaptLex View Post
What I don't get - well, maybe 'cause it's causing me all this trouble - is why they have to add "ma'am" or "sir" at all. Why not just say, "can I help you"? Wouldn't that be easier? Or are salespeople trained to always add that? Just wondering . . .
Yes, they are.

As a kid, growing up on military bases in the South, I was an anomaly since my parents did not teach me to say ma'am and sir. In fact, the one time I tried to sir my dad, he told me to quit trying to butter him up. But when I started waiting tables in college, I developed the habit because it got me fewer complaints and better tips. Then I became a Quaker, and Quakers don't use ma'am and sir, but I catch myself using them anyway from time to time. It becomes a kind of verbal tic.

Oh, and for the record everyone... I was out drinking with the Capt. last night, and yes, he really is that handsome devil in the photo.

Kieron's bloody handsome too. And here, I thought the picture of the dude in the Santa outfit really was Kieron...