Children saying "sir" and "ma'am": Asshole parents?

[NinetyWt]

@whiterabbit

And that they may or may not be assholes; “sir” and “ma’am” would not be part of how I made that determination, were I to make it.

I think this is the main reason why I was so shocked. How can you say someone is an asshole just by this one thing ??

@JohnT

Uh, no. But I called my father “sir” all the time, so I guess you’re really asking me if my dad was an asshole, which is, again, “no”.

I had a hard time not taking it personally when two people in the GQ thread said they would assume the parents were assholes. I’m not an asshole either, but I raised my children to say “ma’am” and “sir”. Like Johnny L.A.'s dad, I addressed them as “sir” and “ma’am” as well.

From the other thread:

@NinetyWt

Obviously, your experience differs from mine then. It’s a common polite way to address people, and I taught my children this along with other manners such as covering your mouth when you cough, chewing with your mouth closed, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

I know you have no way of knowing this but I am not an asshole.

@NinetyWt

often I answer them “yes ma’am” or “no sir”, etc.; or to give another example, “would you pick up your toys please sir” or “would you pass the butter please ma’am”.