September 11 approach 

There are little things over here that as an Aussie make you uncomfortable. You are often addressed as sir or mam .Sir ?really . Yuk , it feels wrong , it makes me quiver like I’ve got to shake off a coat of slime .I think it shows our historical differences. Most of us come from convict stock , the idea of calling someone sir represents a subservient past . We don’t want to be addressing someone as a superior ,it’s deep rooted in our history. We are no ones lackey and we’ve had out turn at bowing to authority . Of course it just represents good manners in the US . Hierarchy, that’s what we’re not good at accepting . Over here hierarchy counts for more , they’re a military country built on ‘victories ‘. You play your role and you serve the best you can . We use mate cause it represents equal , its team and it’s it endearing and it can be used in a heap of different ways just like that other special word starting with  C  .I’m doing my best to educate them over here . It’s not sir or Mr Howard , it’s Troy or Howie or mate.Gidee mart is a start , but g’day maaayte is better.