Is using proper titles in social situations pretentious?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I call my kids Sir and Ma'am when I'm admonishing them. A lot of parents here do, but only when the kids are still under the age of 6 or so.

Funny, I call the children Mr and Miss (usually their first name, as they understand it) when I am mock-admonishing them.

So I might say "Excuse me Miss Amy, what do you need at the end of that sentence?" She understands, adds please and can laugh at the same time.