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

[Alina]

No: HPFGUIDX 131184

> 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.
>
> Ellyddan -- just a little 

I live in Canada and I addressed my high school teachers and
university professors as "Sir" and "Ma'am," and so did some of my
classmates. I agree Snape is a horrible person, but I think if I was
his student, I'd still address him as "Sir," because it has simply
been drilled into my head from childhood to respect my elders. That's
why I never found his and everyone else's insistence that he be called
"Sir" and "Professor" to be anything but an emphasis on good manners.
Harry should stop thinking that being polite to Snape would be somehow
giving into him and starts thinking that being polite to Snape is
being better than Snape.

Alina.