[HPforGrownups] Re: Emphasis on proper address was: Snape as father figure

[Melete]

No: HPFGUIDX 131178



--- potioncat <willsonkmom at msn.com> wrote:

> 
> > Thursday: 
> > > Not saying that Severus Snape doesn't want to be
> treated with 
> respect but I've always thought this was also just
> teaching basic 
> good manners. 
> snip
> 
> Potioncat:
> Whether or not in RL England kids address adults as
> "Sir" they 
> certainly did in fictional schoolboy stories; and
> JKR uses many of 
> the standard fictional approaches in this series.
> (Which is why, I 
> think, Harry was left on a doorstep in a basket.)
> 
> As this thread has developed, I also happened to
> read a section of 
> dialogue in OoP between Draco and Snape (erm,
> Professor Snape) Just 
> about every other word is "sir". Then I went back
> and looked at other 
> times I could find conversation between them. Draco
> uses "sir" all 
> the time. Here's two examples, just quoting Draco's
> lines:
> 
I don't think I ever picked up on Draco's address of
Snape.  Well picked out Potioncat!  Everyone keeps
saying that this is antiquated and seems  stifling
today.  I can't help but wonder how everyone else on
the list addresses their elders, professors, teachers,
mentors etc.  Personally I went to high school 3 years
in Mississippi and the only reason my history teacher
didn't kick me out of her class anytime I forgot to
say Ma'am is because she knew I was a Yank.

Now that I've learned it,  I seriously think it's just
absolute good manners.  I almost cringe to hear people
being too informal.  In the American South, it's a
degree of respect you show for everyone whether or not
you like them.  It's certainly more of a pleasure to
use such niceties when it is someone you truly do
admire and respect (as I'm sure it is for Malfoy.) 

Ellyddan -- just a little 2 cents there.


		
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