What do You do In the Awkward Situation When you don't Know if Someone Is Male OR Female?

Normally, I address everyone as Sir or Ma'am especially if they are older than I am. How am I suppose to dance round communication with someone if I honestly don't know if they are man or a woman? For instance if you are speaking on the telephone with someone and they have a high pitched voice, but isn't exactly feminine(I hope that makes sense). Even worse when you are talking face to face, but the person has unisex haircut, and is a little overweight so you really can't tell. I know ths question sounds a little silly, but I would appreciate serious answers also.

Be careful how you look at them. When I was a little girl, through no fault of my own, I looked like a boy. I was painfully aware that when first meeting me people would look at my face, then down to work out what gender I was. If I was wearing trousers or shorts I had no hope, it was very upsetting. You can't always tell by name. I have a girl's first name but Americans think its a man's name. This is not very useful to your situation but just saying be careful about it, try not to let it matter too much to you which gender they are.

On the phone, just speak very politely but avoid using either Sir or Ma'am. Ask their name.
As for in person - I have no idea who you're hanging out with, but it shouldn't be that hard!

Introduce yourself and they will usually follow suit.
Don't ask me what to do if their name is Lynn, Jean, or another name which could be used for either gender.

just ask them ...

When i talk to people on the phone and im not too sure there sex, i will ask what there name is politely. . .. . . ot when im face to face, like when i worked in retail and i couldnt really tell, you could always ask, "do you mind telling me what your name is, you look so familiar. . " most of the time if you get there name, you can usually figure out what sex they are, unless they say it's Pat, lol

If in doubt leave gender out and just say Excuse me or Have a nice day or etc. Don't add the Sir or Ma'am.

i used to have a customer that i couldn't tell if they were a man or woman and when i was taking their order i asked their name and they said Skip. what are you supposed to do in that situation?

another time my coworker looked from behind (at another customer) and saw the outline of a sports bra and that's how we determined she was a lady (i hope lol).

tell them they have something stuck in their tooth, or a smudge of dirt on their face, any excuse thats feasable --and stress that they need to use the mirror in the bathroom to remove it ---- then watch which door they go in. After they come out and couldnt find it -blame it on the lighting shadows LOL ;)

Well, when you approach them you should say something like; "Hey You!" Then hopefully as the conversation progresses, they'll maybe give a clue about thier sexuality. If that doesn't work, then watch to see which restroom they use.

Follow the turkish kebab shop method, just call everyone my friend or mate or boss!

This is an ever growing situation with our 'modern' society, and all. Naturally.....the 'adams apple'....and 'five oclock' shadow are a sure give away to the male gender. As well as a very firm handshake. Over the phone, simply restrain from any reference to gender. Hello....thank you....and goodbye, will surfice.

That happens to me a lot ,because I work in a fast food place.
What I do is just say "hello" and forget saying "Sir' or "Ma'am"
Unless you Know for sure.

ask them

I had a taxi driver a couple of weeks ago, and I really couldn't tell. SHE was slender and middle aged, she finally asked me if we had female taxi drivers in my country, or I never would have known. Really a unisex person!

That actually happened to me tonight! My daughter brought a friend from work home, then excused herself to make some phone calls. I was talking to her friend, having no clue as to whether this friend was male or female. My daughter did introduce me to this person, but the name was one I had never heard of before, so it didn't help me determine the gender of this person.

P.S. It turns out that the friend was a male--but the clothing he was wearing could have been worn by either males or females (actually it was a fast-food uniform). His hair was on the short side, and curly. He did not realize that I didn't know his gender--thankfully.

Normally I am able to differentiate but in case of doubt you can ask for introduction. I can ask his needs.
You should look carefully from top to bottom. View carefully on chest, lips, poilsh etc.

when i cant tell what someone is i look at there neck if they have a adams apple then they are dude and if not they are female. as for the voice just ask what is your name i tend to forget names,

Avoid calling them anything till they say something that reveals their gender.

I am with those who say to simply avoid the use of sir or madam, in person or on the phone. If you ask their name, that will probably resolve the issue.
Otherwise a pleasant voice gives the greatest courtesy and respect possible.

--That Cheeky Lad

I believe the best thing you can do in theses cases is to ask the person's name... probably the name will not be unissex... and you can clear your mind more easily...

Try to take your mind out of the box and envisage all possibilities.

I usually manage to stick my foot in my mouth. There is really no good way to "find" out, so just do the best you can.

If you want to greet this 'unisex' looking person then introduce yourself politely and shake hands in a friendly gesture.

Then start an converstation and the person is bound to tell you her/his name.

I have met a few people who looked unisex and I never asked them what gender they were. Just introduced myself and during the converstation picked up clues. :-)

However do AVOID doing a Crocodile Dundee!! haha

I remember writing away for a job last year and the person's name was Terry i automatically thought it was male as there was no MR/MRS on the advert so i wrote to a male and on getting the interview i found out it was actually a female i got the job though but sometimes you just don't know.

It isn't all that important to know whether people are male or female in todays world. There is male, felmale and transgender and so many other categories for people to be labeled as. Just forget labels and treat people as individuals. You can't go wrong then.

Simple. "See the match last night, mate?". Problem solved.

May not apply to your situation, but I had this with a German colleague once, knew the name but it gave me no clues. In the end I asked another colleague there outright, explaining how embarrasing it was not to know.

Me, what I do, is I try never ever to refer to a person by titles, but by their names. When a person tells me what their name is, that's how I address them. If a person tells me their name is Bob, that's how I adress them. If they tell me that their name is Mrs. Smith, that's how I'll address her. I let THEM be the one to tell me how they prefer for me to address them. That way I avoid it altogether.

In my opinion, anybody who addresses anybody as simply 'sir' or 'ma'am', is someone who fails to respect the other enough to know that other person's name.

Say " Look I hope you don't mind me asking. I am really sorry to have to ask. But.....well I am a bit confused you see? Hahhahahaha. You see I was just wondering if.....if you were.....'cos it's hard to tell from where I am standing.
Oh! Are you a Dog or a Bi tch?