Character education

[Emsworth]

"Sir" or "Madam" is certainly not necessary. However, any half-decent student would use "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss."

[Emsworth]

"Sir" or "Madam" is certainly not necessary. However, any half-decent student would use "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss."

I agree, though it still shouldn't be required.

So kids should be allowed to address their teachers by first names without their permission? This is the moral decay of this nation right here.

A teacher can require it in their own classroom, but the state shouldn't be able to require it everywhere.

I don't think that the intention is to require it everywhere - only in school.

[Emsworth]

Wow, from the response here it sounds like the Northeast and northwest are terrible places to live. No one says "sir" or "ma'am". Do you people even bother to hold doors open for women or open car doors for women anymore? No wonder they say northerners are so brash.

Opening doors for women is condescending to them.

No it is not, and it shouldn't be sexist either.

Certainly; it is not sexist, but chivalrous.

[Emsworth]

I've gotten into a few spats with people for rampant profanity on mass transit in front of woman and children.

I find that profanity is equally impolite, whether it is front of ladies or whether it is in front of gentlemen.