CAP Talk

vote only unless you need to explain.

The question is, is this how to speak to an audience or how to address a superior?

To me, it is the same in either case.

I see it differently. As I stated in the other thread, there's a difference between large, public groups (the ladies and gentlemen arena), and smaller, private groups (where sirs might be appropriate). IMHO, ma'ams is NEVER appropriate.

So, Rogue, do you mean when speaking to your CO that you can call him gentleman? If is a female call her lady?

To me that sounds kind of disrespectful, "Yes Lady."

In a large group whereas your speaking to an audience, I would say it would be ladies and gentlemen, but when talking to an officer it should always be Sir or Ma'am. It's just proper custom and courtesy.

OK, you're straying from the original Q, here.

Quote from: FlyTiger77 on August 16, 2010, 10:37:06 PM
The plural of "Sir" is "Gentlemen" while the plural of "Ma'am" is "Ladies." Of course, a mixed-company group would be "Ladies and Gentlemen." In a group with several more-senior (to you) female officers and a single more-senior male, it would be appropriate to say, "Sir/Ladies" and vice versa for a group of males and a single senior female.

The point of contention - are the terms Sirs and Ma'ams ever appropriate for use?

As I stated in the first thread:

IMHO, the differences in use are situational. Gentlemen would be used to broadly address a larger group, say in auditorium or similar venue, while sirs would be used to directly address a smaller group in your immediate presence, like Radar used to do.

This looks like another case of trying to pick fly poop out of pepper. I think there a lot more important things to spend time on than solving this insignificant semantic dilemma.

YMMV.

I second the more important things....

This is only about the plural.  If a single person: Sir or Ma'am.  More than two of a gender: Gentlemen or Ladies.  YMMV

Quote from: SarDragon on August 31, 2010, 12:14:40 AM
This looks like another case of trying to pick fly poop out of pepper. I think there a lot more important things to spend time on than solving this insignificant semantic dilemma.

My position on this is obvious and the only reason I brought it up initially is that, in my world, it speaks to one's professional credibility. Now, as to the significance or lack thereof I shall leave for others to decide; however, in my own defense I will note that this discussion has spawned not just one but TWO threads now that haven't come even close to devolving into a uniform thread. For that I believe I deserve some credit!

Of course, even on that topic, YMMV.

v/r

As an aside, methinks I would prefer my pepper to be poopless, but I must agree that it would be much easier to throw the pepper out and start over than to sift it.

OK, with knowing you are only talking of the plural form, I retract. I took to understanding it was all around. Maybe a little more clarity please. Thank you.

This should help provide clarity then:

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=11212.0

The last post to that thread was a week ago.

Thank you Sir, I didn't know that conversation went on. I definitely concur with the first post of said conversation.