Sir and Ma'am or Sir and Miss?

One of my first ante natal visits to Queen Mary's, Roehampton where I had 3 of pur children, was a lrsson in identifying ( and addressing)) student nursrs/ staff nurses/ ward sisters and....matron! As I remember the colour of the uniform (pale or dark blue) tights (black or skin) and degree of fanciness of cap featured and we were to call them- nurse/sister /matron or maybe your majesty". These were of course all fine details we would bear inind when in the throes of labour!

(which she used to wear, should have added!)

Agus, I so agree! When I was in hospital last year, an older lady who I took to be an auxillary or assistant nurse (blue top and trousers, like most of the other staff) got into conversation with some of us patients.

She said she'd been nursing for 40-odd years and missed the old uniform of starched uniforms, caps and those waist-cinching belts with the impressive buckles!

I don't like the first name trend in hospitals now either Charley and even less what passes as a uniform. Every one now wearing the same garb of tops and trousers, it's almost impossible to tell who is the porter and who is the doctor!

When I was nursing, patients looking for a nurse could look at my uniform and name badge 'Nurse Agus' or by my cap eg! 1st, 2nd or 3rd year student nurse, staff nurse etc. now though, no one is clear on anyone's position on the ward.

Nothing at all to do with your question I know bags but along the same 'vein' re titles

When I taught in quite a "progressive" school 27 years ago where the students (never pupils!) used first names I was variously called Soutra, Mrs. **., Miss and "mum" by the intake year!

I don't remember calling any teacher 'Miss', they were always 'Miss or Mrs' followed by their surname even at infant or junior school. And we only had one male teacher at my all girls' school, he was known as 'Mr' followed by his surname.

I have never called anyone 'Sir'. I would always have been in trouble had I joined the Forces - insubordinate!

I don't see what is wrong with Mr, Miss, Mrs, Dr, Professor whoever. Respect without subordination.

My Iranian refugee students didn't want to use my forename but thought that Mrs W was too formal. They settled on Mrs Anno.

A bit of respect is required. Mrs/Miss Smith / Mr Thompson. Easy. It teaches them to differentiate from the beginning. I don't want to be addressed by my christian name unless I am on more than speaking terms - e.g. Insurance company representative/ bank clerk who automatically these days address me thus. I have a 'handle' - use it!

Just got back from a day's supply in my old school, where it was lovely being called Mrs Purple by the children. The only time Mr Purple was called by his first name was when he was head of a prison school. Could never work that one out, but it was standard practice there

When I was teaching at one particular school the Head wanted us to be called by our first names and all of the staff with one voice said NO! Teachers and pupils are not equals and calling staff Sir or Miss reminds them of the need for respect which is sadly lacking today

It's not just in teaching is it? Having watched Silk I notice that female barristers are called Miss.

I've worked in several Scottish primary schools and in every one it's been Mrs M or Mr G or Miss P - never Miss or Sir. Always thought that was a specifically English tradition!

Perhaps all schools need to ponder this one. Certainly not usually first names.

Teachers need a "working title" for the classroom that gives them a degree of courtesy to their position. Respect has to be earned.

I don't quite see why Miss or Sir is so bad. It serves this function as a title, if you do not take the original connotations too seriously.

Mr, Mrs or Miss, "Bloggs," is perhaps the only option. However, in practice will "Miss" and "Sir" ever actually go away?

I agree with merlot and 'Miss' beats hands down what some little treasures probably called us in the playground !
On a lovely trip to India my friend and I were called Ma'am (rhymed with farm) everywhere. We thought it was great but would not have liked it in the classroom.

Perhaps "Ma'am" would be OK - rhymes with "Pam" not "Farm" I understand.

When I was at school it was always 'Sir' - and then you ducked... even old Blobbo was addressed as 'Sir'! As were 'Goober', 'Happy' and 'Killer'...

Most of my teachers were Sister, and nobody played them up either!

My classics teacher had a PhD. I don't think we called her Miss. I seem to remember that we all used the full title - Dr N..... . She was very small but imposing and nobody played her up - ever.

It was always "Miss", don't know why. But it has a certain ring to it - "oh, Miiiissss!! I was generally "Mrs E" to the school in general, and that was fine. I think "Ma'am" is awfully prissy, even though, I suppose, it is the correct equivalent of "Sir".

That's lovely merlot I bet they miss you.

I was happy with Miss. It tended to be used in the classroom and Mrs R used for more formal occasions like assembly. I left it up to the kids to decide. I had a colleague who insisted on being called Ma'am and I'm not sure it elevated her in any way.

Even though I've been retired three years I often hear a voice calling, 'Hello Miss' when I'm out shopping.

Miss, Ms, Mr or Mrs Whatever. No to first names certainly until the young people are in their last couple of years. Anything else and the teachers will be for ever finding themselves being accused of sexual misdeeds; more so than they are already.

My daughter was, today, asked for her title. She is relatively recently divorced but shuns 'Ms' and prefers 'Miss'. In her words 'Ms makes me sound like a butch lesbian'. Bless my subtle child, I wandered right away from her.

Mmmmm. Perhaps Sir is ok. (Don't we want the little bu dears to think their teacher has huge authority?

I think just saying "Miss" sounds very down-market. Not good.

Mr, Miss, Ms, Mrs and their surname, but I have always disliked 'sir' which I would never use at school when I was young. Got me in hot water every now and then, but 'sir' denotes a level of power that was unacceptable for me, personally.

My personal feeling is that if first names are used, as in other professions eg nursing and medicine, familiarity breeds contempt.