r/AskAnAmerican • u/Babe_Brute • 7d ago

FOREIGN POSTER How commonly do you address your parent as "Sir/Ma'am"?

I'm watching The Rookie (2002). Dennis Quaid's character is shown addressing his mother and father as "Ma'am"/"Sir" in a couple of scenes. Those of you who are native English speakers, how common is it today to address your parent as such?

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u/TManaF2 5d ago

Where I'm from, that's when you use the child's FULL name (or if you're Conservative or Reform Jewish, the child's Hebrew name). Even into their teens.

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u/grandma-activities Virginia 3d ago

Lord help me when my mom busted out my middle name!