# What do you mean, "sir"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353 "2005-08-24T00:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/21 "2005-08-24T02:50:28Z")
I was 17 and I had just cut my shoulder length hair to about an inch long. It was very cute. My brother and I were walking accross a crowded resturant toward my evil grandmother. When we get to her she says “Well, gosh! I recognized Michael, but then I thought who’s that little _boy_ next to him?” Thanks grandma. Bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/22 "2005-08-24T03:24:25Z")
My MIL, who’s a petite, feminine woman who weighs maybe 100 pounds soaking wet, has the deepest voice – I don’t think I have _ever_ heard her on the phone and realized that (a) it was her and (b) it was a woman. She sounds just like a man. My son wanted to grow his hair long in sixth grade, but has these lovely curls, and he finallyk got so tired of being asked, “Are you a girl or a boy?” that he cut it off again till he was in high school and could grow facial hair along with it. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/23 "2005-08-24T03:30:45Z")
I would guess it happens to me sixty or seventy times a year. I have short hair and I tend to dress in jeans and t-shirts, but I have really big boobs, so I’m not sure how people miss that. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/24 "2005-08-24T03:53:31Z")
I had short haircut once when I was a little girl (about 8 or 9). Some kid was visiting his granny next door (i.e., he wasn’t a neighborhood kid), pointed at me, and said, “I want to go play with that little boy over there!” Grrr. I am a contralto, so I’ve been called “sir” on the phone more than once. Although admittedly this happens less often now that I’ve quit smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/25 "2005-08-24T04:13:46Z")
This sort of thing is exactly why, when answering the phones at work, I _never_ use “sir” or “ma’am” until the person gives his/her name. Haven’t gotten any ambiguous-sounding Pats yet, thank Og… ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/26 "2005-08-24T04:23:51Z")
I am a bit dismayed by these reports that even large amounts of boobage didn’t keep people from making the mistake with some of you. I was leaving that as an excuse, since I am not exactly bodacious in the ta-ta department. I am also trying to figure out why it bothers me so much. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/27 "2005-08-24T04:29:42Z")
I got mistaken for a guy ALOT when I was heavier. I have a “baby face” and was just plain LARGE. No real hips, and didn’t wear bras that flattered my boobs (ie made them look more shapely). My hair is very curly and I keep it fairly short, but it’d be considered long for a guy. I rarely wear makeup and am often found in jeans and a t-shirt. I guess I just looked like a fat teenage boy. It was pretty miserable ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/28 "2005-08-24T04:36:49Z")
Well, there you go - just when I said it has never happened to me, something happened tonight! The phone rang, and though I don’t usually answer it if I don’t recognise the number (finally got caller ID), it was from a wireless phone. Just in case it was my mother or my brother calling from their cell, I answered it. Now, when I answer the phone, I answer with a perky, high pitched (not squeaky) very feminine sounding “Hello!” It’s kind of fake, but it’s because I’m dealing with a stranger and I’m trying to sound friendly. So, I answer the phone in my usual “friendly” fashion. Me: Hello! _short pause_ Woman, confused: Ed… er… _Eddie_?? Me: I’m sorry, you have the wrong number, dear (it just slipped out, I don’t know where the “dear” came from) Woman: omigod I’m so sorry! You don’t sound even a little bit like Eddie! I was wondering what he was up to, talking like a woman! Sheesh. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/29 "2005-08-24T04:38:55Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > Woman: omigod I’m so sorry! You don’t sound even a little bit like Eddie! I was wondering what he was up to, talking like a woman! > > Sheesh. 😃 This made me giggle. That Eddie! Such a joker! ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/30 "2005-08-24T04:51:27Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > This made me giggle. > > That Eddie! Such a joker! I thought it was pretty cute. 🙂 And FTR, I know I’ve only seen you in pictures, but I think you’re a very pretty lady, and there was no mistake. I mean, even aside from that bra on the doorknob picture, which made it pretty obvious. 😛 Sometimes the girliest woman will be mistaken on occasion (see my husband’s reaction to pretty secretary above). I wouldn’t worry too much about it, it’s just the result of someone only glancing, or sometimes it’s just a slip of the tongue. I think for my husband, who works with a bunch of male customers each day and has to call them “sir” it’s just automatic. He _knows_ you’re a woman, you don’t _look_ anything like a man, but he just automatically says “sir”. That could be why the girl at the lab looked surprised - not because she realised you were a lady, but because she realised she said something stupid and hoped maybe, _maybe_ you didn’t notice. I would be mortified if I did that to someone, and honestly, I might not even correct myself, hoping it would slip by unnoticed. Probably not the right thing to do, but I’d be so embarrassed. I’d only end up rambling on about how you don’t look like a man and I’m so sorry, and you’re obviously a woman, and you don’t believe me do you? No, really, it just slipped out, I didn’t mean anything by it! And on and on. Keeping my mouth shut saves us both a lot of grief. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/31 "2005-08-24T05:06:09Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > I am a bit dismayed by these reports that even large amounts of boobage didn’t keep people from making the mistake with some of you. I was leaving that as an excuse, since I am not exactly bodacious in the ta-ta department. > > I am also trying to figure out why it bothers me so much. Which bothers you? Being called, “Sir” or not bearing resemblance to the front of a 1951 Cadillac with prominent chrome bumper bullets? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/32 "2005-08-24T05:44:47Z")
> [@](#): > > What do you mean, “sir”? [Monty Python] I’m sorry, I have a cold… [/MP] ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/33 "2005-08-24T05:47:01Z")
Been called sir a few times, especially when my hair was shorter. Looking at some pics from just 4 years ago I can see how easily they could come to that conclusion. I look like a slightly plump guy, especially with my tendency to wear oversized shirts and I only wear guys jeans because they are the only ones I can consistently find in my size. It does get me away from the panhandlers though, they always look mortified when they realize their mistake and slink off. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/34 "2005-08-24T05:57:15Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Which bothers you? Being called, “Sir” or not bearing resemblance to the front of a 1951 Cadillac with prominent chrome bumper bullets? 😉 Really mostly the sir thing, with just a touch of the other. > [@Anastasaeon](#): > > I thought it was pretty cute. > > And FTR, I know I’ve only seen you in pictures, but I think you’re a very pretty lady, and there was no mistake. I mean, even aside from that bra on the doorknob picture, which made it pretty obvious. Aw, thank you. Back atcha. Shall I share the unholy glee with which I greet one of your posts? Even when they’re not about me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/35 "2005-08-24T06:29:16Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > Aw, thank you. Back atcha. Shall I share the unholy glee with which I greet one of your posts? Even when they’re not about me? 😃 Please do! But I said this to **Quicksilver** , and I’ll say it to you: You’re just hoping I’m going to say “penis”, aren’t you? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/36 "2005-08-24T07:00:13Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > Please do! > > But I said this to **Quicksilver** , and I’ll say it to you: You’re just hoping I’m going to say “penis”, aren’t you? :eek: No. Scout’s honor. I just think you’re very smart, sweet, and pretty. Your posts are always interesting to read and I enjoy your sense of humor. You’re high on my list of Dopers that I’d love to hang out with sometime. In short, I like you. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/37 "2005-08-24T07:07:15Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > No. Scout’s honor. > > I just think you’re very smart, sweet, and pretty. Your posts are always interesting to read and I enjoy your sense of humor. You’re high on my list of Dopers that I’d love to hang out with sometime. > > In short, I like you. :o That was unexpected, and very kind of you to say. Thank you. The feeling is mutual. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/38 "2005-08-24T07:44:55Z")
When i was 18 i went to the DMV to get a motorcycle permit, wearing shorts and a tube top. When i read my permit, i was mortified ! Next to sex, the inspector had written **M**! my brothers had a field day … ---
**Author:** ![Sarah\_Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/39 "2005-08-24T08:38:42Z")
Happened once or twice when I was a small child - I used to throw tantrums every time my mother tried to get me to a hairdresser, so my father used to place a pudding-bowl on my head and cut off the hair in that shape. :o Both small boys and small girls in the early 80s sported this hairstyle, and I used to wear shorts and t-shirts most of the time. Since then - nope. I have a largish bosom, pear-shaped hips, a small waist and a bouncy walk - plus I’ve never worn my hair shorter than a long bob, so even in jeans and a jumper(=loose-fitting sweater), I look female. I frequently get asked by tele-marketers if “your Mummy or Daddy is home, dear?” though. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353/40 "2005-08-24T08:51:48Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > I am a bit dismayed by these reports that even large amounts of boobage didn’t keep people from making the mistake with some of you. I was leaving that as an excuse, since I am not exactly bodacious in the ta-ta department. > > I am also trying to figure out why it bothers me so much. **Harimad-sol** , take it from me, you are… _adequately_ boobed. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-sir/318353.md?page=3)