I was saddened by William S. Meyer's article (Ideas, July 22) on the healing power of saying sir and ma'am. I recently turned 60 and have been saying sir and ma'am since childhood.

I was taught respect by a two-parent home and a parochial school education where respect was expected and given. My wife (younger and a career social worker) learned respect in a two-parent home and a public school education in Baltimore. We were both taught that all people, regardless of title or position, should be treated with respect until they proved otherwise.

It is sad Meyer didn't learn this simple adage during his formative years in Chicago. It is a sadness it took him 30 years as a social worker to realize the inherent value in people -- regardless of color or job.

It is not just a Southern thing, Mr. Meyer. It is what people who are taught respect do. Period.
There is one more sadness. Meyer is now showing respect by using sir and ma'am as reparations for his 50 years of social ignorance. They may sound nice to you, Mr. Meyer, but they are merely meaningless words if from the conscience and not the heart.

Len Docimo
High Point