I agree with you.

It's a name that someone gave you when you had no personality, etc.

Moreover, it's what a stranger calls you.

How someone could get upset...?

On one hand, it sounds like the other person is trying to be "buddy buddy" with you by calling your first name. On the other, it sounds like the other person doesn't want to put him/herself down by refering to your as sir.

Why would addressing someone as sir/madam or addressing somebody by his or her last name be demeaning? It's a sign of courtesy and respect. That can never be demeaning.

If a TSA agent or another service agent called me by my first name, as in "Thanks, <myfirstname>", I would reply "what's your first name?" and then say "you're welcome <firstname>"

Maybe security folks from Bristol (England) should be employed. Being called "darling" and "my lovely" all the time can only encourage a return to civility in the skies :)

Growing up in a formal household, I addressed my dad as "father" rather than "dad". He insisted on the Dr. salutation as well. I lived with my aunt and uncle who I had to address as Dr. and Mr. in front of the help. Even though the help had been with my family forever. I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin so I could care less what people address me as. Except they rarely can pronounce either my first or last name correctly. I have a bunch of letters that go after my name and I don't put them on business cards. It does make for fun conversation when people assume I'm uneducated though :D

I agree with you, however, I know many older people who refuse to address someone younger by sir or mr. last name.

I'm presently volunteering at a house-build in Calgary, and one of the well-liked foremen on site bristled when I called him "Sir" last weekend. "Don't call me that", he snapped. "I work for a living!". :D

I've also met quite a few people who have been very discomfited by the use of "sir/madam" because of internal insecurities (e.g. not feeling old enough to be a Sir or Madam) or general belief that these honorifics are pretentious and/or outdated. "Mr./Mrs./Ms." seems to be universally acceptable, though.

If one knows the other person's last name, I would think that he or she would just use it instead of saying sir/madam. :D

Wow, that's pretty strict to be so formal with one's own children. Being formal with strangers or acquaintences is one thing, but one's own children? Perhaps that was how he was with his parents?

I don't mean to pick on anyone in particular, and I rarely post, but this statement really hit a sore point with me. Unless otherwise advised, I do think people should stay away from "Mrs." and default to "Ms." which is appropriate regardless of marital status.

Personally, I will not answer to either "Mrs. [my last name]" or "Mrs. [husband's last name]" as I find it offensive that my title should be somehow connected to my marital status simply because I am female. (I also find it annoying to be called by a name other than my own, even if it is my husband's.)

We're married just over 2 years now and I love it when I'm referred to as Mrs. [husband's and my last name]. The way I see it, my husband and I are a family and it's a way of honoring that. I do agree that if I don't know the woman, I will certainly always say Ms. or Dr. ____. That's how I was raised.

I agree with you, Stitch, but I will take "Mrs." over "Cathy" (or, worse, "young lady") any day. In Asia and Europe "madame" is very common and of course in the South we have the lovely "Miz."

Or you could try this :)