What do you call strangers?

onlyroz

If you're just attracting the attention of a stranger in the street then you'd say "excuse me". However, if you were carrying out customer-facing duties for your job then you'd add a "sir" or "madam".

meritaten

actually, I bluddy hate being called 'madam' - I DONT run a brothel!

*Twinkle*

Ay-up?????????

PurpleJay

I would also say 'excuse me' (or shout it if someone was leaving something behind). If I got knowhere and they were some way ahead, I might shout 'Hellooo!' I don't actually used names that much to address people even if I do know someone. I only do it if I need to, like at work to ask a question of an individual in a group setting.

pollypenny

Yep! 'Excuse me', perhaps getting louder if needed.

But you'll have more chance of bring taken notice of if you use your lovely French etiquette!

Btw: the lady who made the coffee at break in school hated bring called 'Madam' by the two French members of staff.

*max*

meritaten wrote: »

actually, I bluddy hate being called 'madam' - I DONT run a brothel!

Have to say, it never occurred to me that the sweet little old lady who'd forgotten her handbag in the bus might have thought I was implying she ran a brothel! Although you never know...perfect cover actually! Who knows what those pesky elderly people are up to after dark...:p

*max*

Also, I unfortunately don't have a French accent apparently.
I keep being told I sound American, or Canadian. Very useful when playing the "guess where I'm from" game in pubs and being bought a few pints as a result, but very annoying when the questions start flying.
I wish I had a sexy French accent!

angel00079

I have never thought about this before but I am in the excuse me camp.

I hate being called madam but I don't think anything of it if used by someone who this is the norm for.

scmp

I am in 'club excuse me' as well. Even up here in Wales esgusodwch fi works.
I got called madam 4 time at a checkout the other day... it made me feel so old, i'm only 32!!!

tayforth

I love being called 'Miss', it makes me feel 18 again. :rotfl: I've been called Madam once or twice, which I hated!

When I visit France, I'm called 'Mademoiselle' most of the time (the day I get more 'Madames' I'll be so annoyed lol).

meritaten wrote: »

depends where in the country you are - here in South East Wales (Valleys) its acceptable to call a male stranger 'Butt' and a female 'Luv'.
also acceptable is 'Mate' for males and 'Miss' for females.
as in 'Scuse me Butt, but you dropped your wallet! or
Scuse me luv, but you dropped your purse!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

aliasojo wrote: »

Max, January...can you phone me? I love hearing English spoken with a French accent.

I like hearing French spoken with a French accent too mind but I wouldn't understand much of that. :rotfl:

I also like the Geordie accent and the Irish accent (not the harsh one, the other one, don't actually know what region that is ).

I have a Scottish accent which I hate, it's too 'broad'.

Not that any of that is relevent to the OP mind. :rotfl:

I'm in the 'excuse me' camp....said louder each time I need to repeat it until the person looks round. Along with everyone else in the shop/on the bus.

I love accents! Welsh, Irish, Scottish, Geordie, West Country - they're all lovely. And French accents are among the nicest in the world.