Why Are People in England Called "Sir"?

They aren't—universally. "Sir" is a specific honorific, not a general address for English men.

Proper Usage

• Knights & Baronets: Men awarded knighthood (KBE, KT, etc.) or baronetcy—e.g., Sir Paul McCartney, Sir David Attenborough
• Certain Office-Holders: High Court judges, senior barristers (King's Counsel), some military officers, senior civil servants in formal contexts
• School Settings: Traditional address for male teachers in many UK schools
• Service Interactions: Polite default for male customers ("Can I help you, sir?")—equivalent to "ma'am" for women

What It's Not

• Not used for all men, all adults, or based on age alone
• Not equivalent to "Mister" (Mr.)
• Not used among friends/peers (would be stiff/ironic)

Female Equivalent

Dame (for dames/knights' wives) or Ma'am (service/formal).

Using "sir" correctly signals cultural awareness; overusing it reads as caricature.