In Britain we don't necessarily agree with the titles given out by the queen. However they do serve a purpose. If you have made it in England then you get a kni

In Britain we don't necessarily agree with the titles given out by the queen. However they do serve a purpose. If you have made it in England then you get a knighthood of some sort. Only a small minority of people offered the 'sir' title don't take it. The purpose is hierarchy. Sir Tim Berners Lee deserves that title. He is afforded recognition. Sir Bob Geldof has got there too. Although not everything to do with Band Aid was awesome, we give Sir Bob the dues. Then there are the rogues such as the arms salesmen. Athletes get the honours too. Get a few gold medals at the Olympics and you are there. Unfortunately there are inherited titles, but, as mentioned the system is not universally liked and far from perfect. It is a hierarchy with the German lady married to some Greek bloke calling herself Queen at the top. But what happens in a society where you don't have these things? You have to have wealth and toys to confer status. You have only made it when you have the McMansion and the European super/hyper car, maybe with the private jet. The British system is far cheaper. You can be respected with the 'sir' title and live in a Victorian terraced house with Blue Plaque outside. No private jet needed. With 'sir' the reputation goes before the person who has the title, it is what they say that matters, not however much bling stuff they own that matters. It is understandable that in other parts of the formerly colonised world that this hierarchy is not desired, but there is an advantage to a society where people know their place and are content with their lot. Otherwise it is like America where you have to get rich or die trying with no happy in-between.