How do you address strangers?
I never seem to get a consensus about this topic and it's frustrating.

To avoid addressing strangers completely, some suggest I only use "Excuse me". But what if I need to be more specific? For example, addressing a fainted woman in front of me, I think I would need to at least call her "Miss" or Ma'am" and not "Excuse me".

It's till not clear to me as some say they never use some of those like "Mister" or "Miss".

So, here's my understanding.
- Use "Sir" or "Mister", or "Excuse me" to address adult male strangers. Use "Sir" with someone more formal or with elderly. Use "Mister" for younger men.

- Use "Ma'am" or "Miss", or "Excuse me" to address adult female strangers. Use "Ma'am" to be more formal or with elderly. Use "Miss" for younger women.

- Use "Hey", "Kid" for kids. Use "Young man", "Young lady" for teenagers?

By the way, I'm in my late 20s.

Do I understand correctly? Please also indicate if your answers are American or British usage.

Thank you.

Question

How do you address strangers?
I never seem to get a consensus about this topic and it's frustrating.

To avoid addressing strangers completely, some suggest I only use "Excuse me". But what if I need to be more specific? For example, addressing a fainted woman in front of me, I think I would need to at least call her "Miss" or Ma'am" and not "Excuse me".
 
It's till not clear to me as some say they never use some of those like "Mister" or "Miss".

So, here's my understanding. 
- Use "Sir" or "Mister", or "Excuse me" to address adult male strangers. Use "Sir" with someone more formal or with elderly. Use "Mister" for younger men.

- Use "Ma'am" or "Miss", or "Excuse me" to address adult female strangers. Use "Ma'am" to be more formal or with elderly. Use "Miss" for younger women.

- Use "Hey", "Kid" for kids. Use "Young man", "Young lady" for teenagers?

By the way, I'm in my late 20s.

Do I understand correctly? Please also indicate if your answers are American or British usage.

Thank you.

Answer

As an American, I would typically just say, "excuse me." If it's a more specific situation, you can just say what you want to say or ask: "Excuse me, where's the bathroom?" If someone fainted or something similar, as in your example, no polite small talk is needed: "Are you okay? Here, let me help you." For children, nothing special is needed.

To be polite with people who are obviously much older, men can be addressed as "sir," and older women as "ma'am." From my perspective, this is never rude. I would probably not call a younger woman "miss" but that would be okay. I would never say "mister" without addressing someone by name (e.g. "Mr. Smith").

I live abroad, and many people (students or strangers) often call me "mister," but this sounds very unnatural to me. The appropriate term would be "sir," but even that is too formal much of the time. For example, it feels awkward if someone older than me calls me "sir."

Hope this helps!

Answer

In my country (Australia), you just say "Excuse me" if talking to a stranger.
Sometimes to get their attention a little more you may prefix it and say something like "Oh, excuse me". The tone you say it in demonstrates your politeness.
You would never add "Mister, Miss, or Sir".

Answer

Gary, I got "Excuse me" from other native speakers on language forums. Can't remember where they are from, though. I thought it was polite. Just heard from you that it could be rude too.

Answer

In American English, Mister would be very strange. Usually Sir for any man. For a teenage boy you can use Sir too, but for a little boy you can use kid or little boy. "Excuse me, little boy".

Women are different and it depends on the region. In the North East, don't call any woman Ma'am, they will think it's insulting like you're saying that they're old. Unless they're Elderly. But in the South East/West you can and should say Ma'am to every adult woman. Teenage girls and little girls you can use Miss.

You're right, it's very confusing.

Answer

Where did you get 'Excuse me' from? If someone said that to me, I would probably get pretty upset. Depending on the tone of voice, it can be quite rude.