I was out and about at midnight last night (don’t ask me why) and my stomach decided my throat must have been cut. So I ran by the local Taco Bell, the only place open at that time in my corner of the universe. Went through the drive-through, placed my order and pulled up to the pick-up window, holding out my cash.

At my first glance, I thought the cashier was female. At my second, I wasn’t so sure. Now I’ve decided it must have been a guy (looked most like a guy), but there weren’t any obvious clues that would indicate its gender. Voice was sortof in the middle range, hair was longish, torso rather indefinitely shaped. It really could have gone either way and I’m still not sure.

I paid for my stuff and left, but it got me wondering. What is proper etiquette when you can’t decide whether the person you are addressing is male or female? I still use “Sir” and “Ma’am” when speaking to people, but what do you do when you can’t decide which is most applicable?

If you aren't sure, don't use "sir" or ma'am". It is much like commenting on a woman't pregnancy, you better be 100% confidant that the woman is pregnant before you make any statements.

If you are wrong, you will likely catch all sorts of flak, even when they are androgynous.

Just say "thank you" or "thank you kindly" or "tanks, biotch" or anything else that is non-gender specific

I lawled =p

I've spent some time talking to customers over the phone, and I end up cutting out any gender specific references.

Besides, it's the drive through, I'm sure they aren't expecting a sir or ma'am at any rate.

I wonder if the cashier's name was Chris or Pat?

Lol, I like this. The comments got more points than I did.
Am I doing something wrong here?
Lol. Ya lazies!

Here's a few your way! Good topic!

I used to work with a rather large woman who took a short leave of absence. A couple of days after her return, my boss walked up to her and gave her a "glad you're back" speech. He then asked why she was away. She replied (beaming) "I just had a baby!", to which my boss interjected "Really? I didn't even know you were pregnant."

I worked in retail during the school year while I was in university, and I encountered "he/she's" all the time. I think it's best to avoid using "ma'am" or "sir", otherwise you seriously risk offending the person.

Some people really appreciate manners, such as being addressed as 'sir' or 'ma'am', but I've generally found that these people take pride in their appearance, and as a result it is quite easy do discern their gender.

The only thing wrong that you're doing is fishing for votes ;)

There was this person in my English class last semester who had lame guy hair or lesbian girl hair, unisex clothes, and always looked grumpy. I still don't know that person's gender.

I get "Miss" or worse "Is your Mommy home?" on the phone all the damn time. Ugh.
Screw sir or ma'am, I prefer to be referred to by my proper title, Lord High Executioner.

Aren't I deliciously diabolical? lol ;)

I went to go get glasses recently, and the woman paused for a moment, and pointed me in the direction of the unisex glasses. :)

My boyfriend gets whistled at all the time form cars who think he's a girl. Sometimes people think we're lesbians, or that we're heteros, but I'm the man... it leads to fun realizations.

Now I want to see a picture of you two. ;)

Tada! I'll leave you guessing who's who.
If you want to see better pictures, just ask, and I can deliver. Maybe not in under 30 minutes, steamy and fresh... but still. Better than that damn DiGiorno... wow. I'm a horrible, horrible rambler. Really.

You're the one on the left?

:o The one that doesn't look like a girl at all, yes!

It was easy, you don't have an adam's apple! ;)

AH. Forgot about that detail... :p
Nice detective work! (Most people still manage to think he's a girl! It's great)