> I think it is louder in the north east Loud in the South, certainly. That's how I was raised, and it's used as a respectful, though somewhat common/generic,

> I think it is louder in the north east Loud in the South, certainly. That's how I was raised, and it's used as a respectful, though somewhat common/generic, term of address. I don't know that I or many Americans would be comfortable with the social implications of referring to some one as "sir" out of respect the way you describe it; it implies superiority rather than respect.