Emphasis on proper address was: Snape as father figure

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 131231

Phoenixgod wrote: 
> I don't truly understand where this idea that Harry is being 
> disrespectful comes from. Other than peaking into his pensieve, 
Harry 
> is almost always perfectly respectfuly to Snape--at least by the 
> standards I use in my own classroom. 

Potioncat:
I "upthreaded" for a number of posts, and unless you're referring to 
a post that somehow is out of thread, I don't see what you're talking 
about. At least from my point of view, I'm only discussing the use 
of "sir". Using "sir' or "ma'am" is a cultural thing, and to those 
who aren't used to it, it seems uncomfortable or incredibly formal. 
But as I said in another post, it can be as comfortable and as 
expected 
as "please and thank you". In the context of "schoolboy story" it 
seems very appropriate. And it's all right that other teachers don't 
require the "sir".

Phoenixgod:
 Yes, Draco uses Sir all the 
> time. He also happens to be a obsequious booklicker of the highest 
> caliber.  Young Malfoy is hardly the barometer I would use to 
measure 
> appropriate levels of student/teacher respect. 

Potioncat:
Nor would I. But the point I was making was that Draco uses "sir" a 
lot when talking to Snape. He used it when he was brown-nosing and he 
used it under stress when Montague had been found. And for those 2 
conversations my point was that it appears Snape expects "sir" from 
all his students, or else Draco wouldn't be using it.

Draco managed to be rude, although just barely, while calling 
Lupin "Professor". For some reason I can't find the conversation 
between Draco and Flitwick to see if he uses "sir" with him. 


Phoenixgod:
 Why care what he calls Snape when Snape 
> isn't around? 

Potioncat:
But that's what DD and Molly do, isn't it? They correct him. If they 
hear him say "Snape" they add the "Professor". Must be a reason for 
that.

The kids refer to McGonagall all the time. I don't think they've done 
it in front of another adult. And I'm sure if they did, they would be 
corrected.


Phoenixgod: 
> Honestly, you guys make it sound like Harry is calling him a &*@##$ 
in 
> the middle of the classroom. He's not. 

Potioncat:
Again, unless you're referring to another post that I don't see in 
this thread, (using the upthread button) I don't get it. No one has 
suggested that.


Phoenixgod: 
> I agree that everyone else corrects Harry as a form of good 
manners, 
> but I think Snape himself has a far more petty reason for insisting 
on 
> the sirs. 

Potioncat:
Oh, well, that may well be his motive, but it's still his due. Then 
again, it may be as someone else suggested, he's using it to re-
direct Harry's attention.