What do you call strangers?

PasturesNew

"Excuse me" to get a stranger's attention.

"Hi" if it's a stranger you recognise from having met before and want their attention and are sure they'll remember you.

"Excuse me .... aren't you ....?" if it's a stranger you think you recognise from somewhere else and are getting their attention to ask if they are the person you're thinking of.

daisiegg

Like others have said, just 'excuse me' would be fine

fluffnutter

Wouldn't you know if they were your mother/grandmother/grandad? Odd.

January20

Max, I am French too (been here 29 years!) and you are being.... too French about this!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Just say "excuse me" quite loudly. It usually does the trick! Etiquette is, I think, much more important in France than it is here!

I would say don't worry about being a moron. You are not! You are a foreigner doing your best at integrating in British society. Most people realise -and appreciate - this fact. You get used to people staring at out, treating you like novelty, asking for the story of your life and telling you what a crazy person you are for living (in my case, in the north east of) England when you could be in the French sunshine

FatVonD

Another vote for 'excuse me'.

To change the thread title I think you have to 'go advanced' when editing.

*Robin*

Another vote for "excuse me". In a situation like the bus example, I'd probably also reach out to touch the person on the arm, then gesture towards the forgotten item once I'd got their attention.

But OP needn't worry. French men have a charming manner when speaking English, whatever they actually say.

Prothet_of_Doom

I would use Sir, Madame, Luv, mate, pal, duck, miss, sonny, depending on how I gauge the situation. But usually Sir or Madame. Don't think it particularly makes me sound posh.

balletshoes

*Robin* wrote: »

Another vote for "excuse me". In a situation like the bus example, I'd probably also reach out to touch the person on the arm, then gesture towards the forgotten item once I'd got their attention.

But OP needn't worry. French men have a charming manner when speaking English, whatever they actually say.

The OP isn't a man .

catkins

A few times I have wanted to attract someone's attention in the street because they have dropped something or their child has thrown a toy out of its pushchair etc and I just say "excuse me". If they don't respond immediately I just say it louder!

Meadows

*max* wrote: »

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

To edit a title go into Edit then click Go Advanced!

*max* wrote: »

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 other/grandmother/granddad.

I tend to say Excuse Me/Hi, or if they are walking away and have forgotten something I say Hello to get their attention.
Watch things like 'Luv', Love', 'Dear', 'Mate' etc. all terms of endearment and some people really do not like them.