Confused old man

[edible_hat]

Overheard while queueing up at the supermarket to buy some emergency supplies:

cashier: "Would you like a bag for that sir?"
confused old man: "Sir? Sir?!? There's only two of us."

I have no idea what he was talking about there, for in fact there was only one of him.

[Becks]

That was unexpected.

Poor man.

[Broomjockey]

Probably referring to the fact that it was just him and the cashier, and the formal address of sir wasn't suitable for an informal situation consisting of interaction between two people.

[Geek King]

Probably referring to the fact that it was just him and the cashier, and the formal address of sir wasn't suitable for an informal situation consisting of interaction between two people.

Politeness is always suitable. Sir and Ma'am (or Miss) are used until one party has introduced themselves. As OP didn't know the old man from Adam, they acted appropriately.

[Boozy]

Probably referring to the fact that it was just him and the cashier, and the formal address of sir wasn't suitable for an informal situation consisting of interaction between two people.

I'm impressed. My customer-ese translation skills are not so advanced.

[Broomjockey]

Politeness is always suitable.

I know that, and I think that too. He might be one of those people who doesn't like getting "sir'd" I don't get it either. I only translate, not explain reasoning.

I'm impressed. My customer-ese translation skills are not so advanced.

Thanks. Trust me though, these came at a high price. My soul and my sanity are forfeit.

[Geek King]

I know that, and I think that too. He might be one of those people who doesn't like getting "sir'd" I don't get it either. I only translate, not explain reasoning.

Ah, my mistake. I thought that was personnal opinion, not a translation. Humblest apologies.

I should note, I use sir and ma'am for one simple reason: Too many westerns with Sam Elliot in them when I was a kid. The man's got a way of filling one word with whole volumes of meaning that leaves me in awe.