For those in the US, do you call men "sir", if that is not their proper title?

Yes, we do in the US. In the south it is used often. Sir and ma’am are used every day when addressing adults even in casual conversation. In other parts of the US it is used less often. It would be used when trying hard to get a man’s attention. For instance, if I were calling after someone at a distance, because they dropped money I might say in a loud voice, “sir, sir,” to get their attention. Those places in the US where sir is not used frequently often use miss when addressing women, not ma’am, but it varies.

In our military, “yes sir” is often a required responses when given an order by a higher ranking officer, or even when not an order, but just out if respect during a conversation.

Dahn heah, Ah usually get called “Hun”, “Darlin’” or “Sugah”; particlarly when Ah ask fo’ a refill on mah Caffee.

Yep. I speak to school district employees and attorneys all week and use “sir” as often as I use “ma’am.” I live in the southern US and I doubt anyone here even makes a connection between the title “sir” and knighthood. It’s just a sign of respect or professionalism.

We wouldn’t call them “Sir Smith” or anything. It’s Mr. Smith. But I wouldnt say “yes, Mr. Smith;” I’d say “yes, sir.”

After thinking about it I suppose I do sir.

“Sir, you left your umbrella.” Yes, we use sir, on occasion.

We have no titled class in the US (except for the president, the VP, and senators and congresspeople). No group has any right to the word “sir”.

That said, it is a word that gives some degree of politeness and respect, and I use it along the same lines as the others above have described. If nothing else, it’s better than “hey you”.

@elbanditoroso I’m not sure that even the US President is titled, hence ‘Mr President’

I call most men “Sir”. I rarely use the term “Bub”.

In the US, as most above imply, we use “sir” as a polite way to address a man whose name we do not know. For instance, if i need to get the attention of someone I will use “sir” or “ma’am”.

Well dude or hey you sounds too much like Ridgemont High, so sir seems much classier.

Regionally, sir and ma’am is very big in the American south, and I was raised to address my elders that way, but I shed it as a teenager when it caused mockery from peers.

It’s a quiet way of sucking up. “No sir. I didn’t know how fast I was going. Sir.”

@Dutchess_III Well in those circumstances saying I smell pork isn’t going to help your case.

Care for a doughnut, Sir? Perhaps a pork doughnut, Sir? ..................... THOSE HANDCUFFS HURT, SIR!!!!!!!

In the south children are taught , “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” from the time they’re toddlers. College men are expected to say it to their fathers, too.
Do I say it? Not usually. I’m not even sure I’d say it to a policeman. I would think, “oh yes” would suffice. lol

In the northern US saying it to your father is usually quite frowned upon. I’m not saying that directed at you @Aster, it’s just to further explain regional differences to the OP. Calling a parent sir or ma’am sounds too formal and distant to most northerners.

I’m from the Pacific Northwest and we say “sir” and “ma’am” here, but usually only for strangers or people we don’t know well. Or teachers. Specifically, I use it to get someone’s attention if I don’t know them, since saying “Hey, you!” or something else would feel weird.