I've changed, and I'm not sure that I'm happy about it.

[Kilted Stuart]

That dosen't happen very often these days. The youth of today are more likely to say something bad than good ( not all but enough). Just when I start to wonder about kids these days a story like this comes along. It proves to me again there are good kids out there.

Nice story.

[Iolaus]

Kind of the opposite here.

At the end of the school year, last year, my wife (a teacher) had to move her stuff to a new classroom. Her 19 yr old son showed up one day to help her and I showed up the next. Later, the substitute secretary at the front desk complimented her on what nice sons she had.

She's only 3 yrs older than me; apparently I wear my 42 years well.

[GMan]

Yes sir! I really do admire someone who shows a little bit of respect. Of course the kilt does bring out respect, at least that is what I have noticed. Anybody with any amount of cooth will show respect. And of course I know Alan that you were walking tall and proud!

[Shay]

I remember I used to get ma'am from a guy who was three years older than me on the basis that I was married and had a kid, he was so sweet. He said his mom always taught him single women are miss, married women and mothers are ma'am. I'm still Ms. on any correspondence, it's disconcerting to get mail addressed to Mr and Mrs John Smith, though. I know some women like it, I always saw that as, "Dear Sir and addendum.." LOL!

Being in the military makes you say sir and ma'am a lot more than other folks, too. Maybe you caught the admiring eye of an off-duty soldier or soldier's kid!

[GatorUK]

When I was training Navy Recruits I got "Sir'd" to death. Got a lot of respect but don't know how many of them thought of me as "cool" though.

[mexpiper]

Bethankful, that they did not call you "yo Dude" or something other than that. It just shows that they were brought up correctly. I was taught to call men I did not know sir or mister when I was younger. When I worked retail, I always adressed an older gentleman as sir or mister. If they were younger than me " I always asked what could I do for you young sir? " They were always responding in a more postivie attitude, one kid went and told his mother and he was smiling all the way.

I also address my letters or cards to my nephews as " Master John Smith", they always know it comes from me. I did have to explain to their mother what I meant by addressing the term Master. My nephew wanted to know when will he be addressed as Mr., I stated that when he turn 17 or 18 depending on how mature he is and acts as a gentleman should.

Yeah I know I sound like an old foggeym but than again i am 40.

[Alan H]

I also address my letters or cards to my nephews as " Master John Smith", they always know it comes from me. I did have to explain to their mother what I meant by addressing the term Master. My nephew wanted to know when will he be addressed as Mr., I stated that when he turn 17 or 18 depending on how mature he is and acts as a gentleman should.

Yeah I know I sound like an old foggeym but than again i am 40.

My grandmother used to address her letters to me as "Master". I don't know anyone else who does that, but I kind of like it.

As for "yo, dude"...hey, I'm from California. I'm USED to that! LOLOL

[Prester John]

Under the age of 12 is normally addressed as "Master"

and in our family, they are written with that address still.

It's nice to see that propriety is not completely dead, and that my wife (I'll add myself in there, too) is not alone in "doing it right."

Good work!