I was raised to address strangers and those I wish to show social deference to as “Sir” or “Ma’am”. It’s a difficult habit to break, as it is deeply engrained.

What is an equivalent gender neutral honorific that is relatively common in English? If I can’t break the habit I’d rather have a substitute word to use instead of an awkward pause in the middle of addressing someone

I’d just use Google to ask but I’d rather ask the people directly rather than an AI generated answer based off of Reddit threads

ETA: I suppose if Yessir and Yes’m work, Yesn’t could too? Mostly joking… but maybe… 🤔

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    I dot know about all gen-x but I feel a strong aggressive feeling at ‘bruh’. Maybe the legion of kids saying it so often that you wish for a ‘literally’ as respite has given me opinions.

    • 🌞 Alexander Daychilde 🌞@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      I assume this is what getting old feels like is all. We rolled our eyes at the adults who rolled their eyes at things we said that were “cool”. And now we roll our eyes at the young kids (who are in their 30s now). heh