Honestly, I say sir to everybody, it's one of my things.

Me too.


Which makes me think, why do I say sir to everybody? And my answer is that I intend to express respect to the person I'm addressing. It's a good answer; it's true.

But in this case Big Sarge doesn't hear the respect I intended. He hears something else. That's fine too. But he's gone further, explicitly asking not to be addressed as sir.

I still have respect for Sarge, so I have to use a different way to express my respect. The "burden" is on me to use the terms/mode that is acceptable to the person I'm interacting with.

This reminds me of the very animated discussion about pronouns, when Ibby brought up a similar subject. To continue to use "sir", despite my proclamations of respect, would be like sticking my thumb in his eye, the opposite of respect.

Is this "political correctness" on my part? Or is it simple consideration and normal decency?

It's kind consideration on your part to try to break your habit when addressing Sarge, but it's also kind consideration on his part to forgive your inevitable slip ups.

You tell 'em babe.

Oops!

Sirgeant.

On second thought, that might be a little too close to insurgent.

Still staying straight by not having anything in the house and trying not to be alone too much. I struggle

In which state in the Deep South do you reside? I ask cuz...ya' know...this.

Not Oregon and Washington state.

I tend to agree, and I hope you can pull thru. ;)

John, how quickly you forget we have spoken over the years. I'm in north Miss.

I know full well we've spoken B4, but I can't be expected to remember every detail of our communications.

Everybody has his own addiction...