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> That's pretty disrespectful and ignorant to other cultures and customs. Not all customs deserve respect. I guess I don't have to produce a list of all the th
by TelmoMenezes 7y ago
> That's pretty disrespectful and ignorant to other cultures and customs.
Not all customs deserve respect. I guess I don't have to produce a list of all the things that were once "customs", and that now horrify us. "Sir" is a honorific that implies class distinction, to indicate that someone is socially above you, by virtue of birth or by the decision of a monarch.
I know that the British crown now give knighthoods to honor notable artists, scientists, politicians, etc. It also still uses it in the traditional sense. In the UK, you can have a seat at the House of Lords (the upper house of parliament) because of your social status, either by birth or by position in the clergy. I certainly do not respect any of that.
- Doctor_Fegg 7y agoKnighthoods and the House of Lords are entirely separate. The honorific most associated with the HoL is “Lord”. Knighthoods (“Sir”) are in reality awarded by decisions of the elected government, though nominally by the Queen.
- TelmoMenezes 7y agoYes, I know they are separate, but they are both shadows of a class system that is repugnant to modern western values. And although what you are saying is true, it is only the current practice. Notice that the UK has no written constitution. It particularly astonishes me when Americans defend these costumes, given that their country was essentially created in opposition to such a class system.
- foldr 7y agoPretty much everything that happens in the present is the shadow of some or other repugnant historical practice or event. Knighthoods are just one of the civilian honors you can get in the UK. It's not much different from the Presidential Medal of Freedom or something like that. The honor happens to come with a title. There are similar perks in US culture (e.g. Professor so-and-so, Doctor so-and-so).