I was raised to address strangers and those I wish to show social deference to as "Sir" or "Ma'am". It's a difficult habit to break, as it is deeply engrained.
What is an equivalent gender neutral honorific that is relatively common in English? If I can't break the habit I'd rather have a substitute word to use instead of an awkward pause in the middle of addressing someone
I'd just use Google to ask but I'd rather ask the people directly rather than an AI generated answer based off of Reddit threads
ETA: I suppose if Yessir and Yes'm work, Yesn't could too? Mostly joking… but maybe… 🤔
Yeah, I've heard "boss" used in prison movies and such, but I've also heard it in places of employment (even when the person isn't the supervisor or boss), between customer and service worker (both directions), with strangers ("Watch your step there, boss, there's a sudden drop"). Never saw anyone offended by it in my own experience, so it's news to me (and good to know) that there could be groups out there that are offended by it.