What do you call strangers?

*max*

Let's get it out the way: I'm French. I've been in the UK 10+ years, andI think I'm practically bilingual. However..there's something that has always bothered me. If you need to call out to someone you don't know, or say something to a stranger on the bus...what do you call them? In French, it's easy, we say "Monsieur/Madame" as required and nobody bats an eyelid. But here it seems that saying "Madame" or "Sir" sounds like you're either about to deliver bad news, or you're a 19th century lady's maid.

So..what do you say? I'm not about to call anyone "Luv" or "Oi you!" to someone who could be my mother/grandmother/grandad.

*max*

so far, I've been saying Sir and Madam, but I'm always met with incredulous faces and the people then assume I'm being really posh. Especially with the accent.

hawk30

I would just use 'excuse me' without calling them anything. I do use sir, but only for elderly gentlemen.

If I were in my home town I might use 'love', but only because it is common up there.

*max*

And now I feel awful because I meant "strangers" in the title, obviously - and I can't seem to be able to change it.

Blackpool_Saver

never noticed Max, read it as strangers, hmmm good question though, I just say excuse me

*max*

Example would be: you're in a bus, and the lady in front of you gets up to exit, and you notice she's forgotten her bag. What do you call out? I would go "Sorry! Madam!" (while gesturing wildly so other people would catch her before she gets out...)

*max*

I am also fully aware that this is trivial, but anything that helps me feel a little less like a moron in everyday interactions is welcome.

PudseyDB

Like Hawk30, I just say "excuse me" if I want to get a stranger's attention

BitterAndTwisted

If you have a french accent then calling people "monsieur/madame" would be perfectly acceptable and probably quite charming.

suki1964

Excuse me is fine. Sure you can add sir, miss or madam, but I don't think Brits are that formal


I've been know to use excuse me " miss, young man and oi"

Savvy_Sue

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

If you have a french accent then calling people "monsieur/madame" would be perfectly acceptable and probably quite charming.

I agree with this, but my vote is for 'excuse me', perhaps also calling out 'your bag', or whatever the situation is.