What do you think about mannerisms when interacting within a hierarchy?

It depends on the situation.
I would say in the military,it is a good thing to stick to protocol.
Sometimes,people try to take advantage of a relaxed enviroment and that is just more BS to deal with.
In my personal life,I like to be called Sargeant Lucille.
No one does that and the shit is going to hit the fan soon.;)

The only way to get respect is to earn it….at home, at work, in relationships and with your kid. You do this by leading by example and by your actions. Words can add to this element of earning and maintaining the status of your position but again it has to be earned or it will lead to problems and breakdowns again in all aspects of life. The military is the extreme where compliance can be had by forceful measures but you will not get the respect from the person on the receiving end.

Communication is key to this process too as without clear concise directives, desired goals and behaviors will not be achievable. I speak from experience, learned this the hard way and still F up big time. I need more practice…

I think it’s an error on an epic scale to ram your nose up someone’s sphincter!
I mean, the smell for one & your voice will sound a little “tinny.” Not good, not good at all.

Generally I prefer a more team oriented flatter organization where first names are ok. I still think people understand their “place” within the hierarchy, but it creates a better environment for the sharing of ideas and open door policy. However, it does depend by industry a little, some work places it might be more practical to be more rigid. The military uses rank outwardly, they wear it on their clothing, so even if the E4 does not know the O6 giving him an order personally, he knows he must follow the order, knows who is in charge. While in other work situations that are not matters of life and death, there is time to find out who the guy is who is asking you to do something when you don’t know him from Adam.

Sir and Ma’am are only used in the south and miitary pretty much. Nobody at Ford HQ in Michigan, or Pepsi HQ in NY, is calling their boss Sir or Ma’am; they might use Mr. Lastname or Mrs. Lastname, if it is a very formal setting.

In every day life outside of work, I also prefer first names, but don’t mind at all using Mr. Lastname when addressing someone older who prefers it. I would always address someone I just met by their last name if they are not being introduced as a friend/peer, someone who would be less familiar, or ask them right off what they prefer Mrs. Doe or Jane? I allow them to correct me to their firstname, or a less formal address.

I wanted to add I pretty much hate Sir and Ma’am because it sounds abusively strict to my yankee ears. Excuse me sir, no problem, but a “sir, yes sir,” not really feeling it, especially outside of the military. And, when a child says sir or ma’am to their daddy or mommy, it makes me wince.

There are two types of respect: Position Power and Personal Power. Position Power refers only to the title, be it boss, someone in a higher position, or an elder. Personal Power is all about earning respect by walking the talk and showing respect to others, no matter what their position is or if they disagree. The best managers, be it an employer or a parent, do both.

I don’t mind ‘playing by the rules’ if I get to do what I love and if I feel validated. The less validated I feel, however, the less likely I am to be a ‘good girl’ about the dumbass titles.

When the chips are down [a wartime action, a disaster aboard ship], the commander who has worked more familiarly with his subordinates better have their total respect, because he is going to have to switch to command mode fast, and they are going to have to accept it.

I believe [I am not military although I worked for the Navy] the greater the trust, the longer the leash. Get good people and give them their head. I worked under two supervisors while in the Navy. One actually cultivated the “we are a family” and had the total loyalty [plus both respect and affection] of his team. The other was a bit more formal, held a tighter leash, but very careful to treat everyone with respect and fairness. She also had loyalty and respect. I was less comfortable with this management style but could not fault it.

As an employee, unless I’m encouraged or directly asked to contribute what I feel would be harmonizing, welcoming or productive in my workplace, I defer to my superiors and let them set the pace and show expectations.

Social mannerisms are artificial but they’re supposed to be because we’re not all friends or even acquaintances but must have some basic ways that are non confrontational, non intrusive and not impertinent to get to learn others we work with or have to encounter outside our immediate close circles.

I think those social mannerisms make things very easy and comfortable, leaving little confusion. There are generations similar to my parents though that feel these mannerisms somehow are elitist or unnecessary and so balk at even the basic social courtesies. For me, those people are ridiculous and tedious.