I was raised to say "Yes Sir and Yes Mam" to anyone that was grown. Race or gender did not factor into it, it was "Yes Sir or Yes Mam" regardless. It was a lesson that "took" and I still do it today to anyone that is "grown" really.  I had to go out of town this week to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a work related training seminar. As I checked into my hotel the young man at the Front Desk asked "Last Name", "Reese" I said. "Jimmy" he replied. "Yes Sir" was my immediate reply. He eyed me a little suspiciously. "I need to print your invoice out" he said, "We are a little behind, it has been a busy day.". "No problem, take your time" I told him. "Take my time" he said. "Sure" I replied, "I got no where to go and plenty of time to git there." "Man, where you from" he laughed. "Brooklyn" I said. "Figured you'd pick up on my accent". He busted out laughing. "Brooklyn, North Carolina" I teased. "I thought you was from the South" he said. "I wish everyone was that laid back" he replied. Later at my training seminar in the hallway during the break a lady who was in my class came over, extended her hand and said, "I'm glad I got to meet one in person". "One what," I asked her. "A Southern Gentleman" she stated. "You opened the door for me earlier, My Mom was from the South and she had told me about the customs there, but I had never experienced it", I liked it actually". I had never really thought about it, but I guess I am a little "hokey" and you know what, I don't mind. It is where I am from, and what I am...somehow I think Grandma would approve... and that's good enough for me.....