[MayflowerMadam]

Here in the south there is a lot of, “ma’am” and “sir”, and I don’t expect that will stop any time soon. It’s the culture, and I hope it doesn’t change.

[Jamestown1630]

Well, as I said, there’s usually an indication in the way a person presents. I’m not suggesting to give up ‘Sir’ and ‘Ma’am’ entirely and for every encounter.