“Nobody’s ever called me Sir Richard. Occasionally in America, I hear people saying Sir Richard and think there’s some Shakespearean play taking place. But nowhere else anyway.”
— Richard Branson
Simplified Meaning:
The speaker, Richard, is saying that people usually don't call him "Sir." He feels it's strange and formal, like something out of an old play by Shakespeare, when people in America call him "Sir Richard." He implies that this doesn’t happen often and is quite rare other than in America. Imagine you have a nickname that everyone uses, but one day someone calls you by your full name with a fancy title, like "Doctor" or "Professor," even though you're neither. It would feel odd and out of place. Richard is similarly surprised when people give him this formal title in America. In your own life, calling someone by a fancy title when it's not necessary can make things feel awkward. It's better to use names and titles that people are comfortable with, keeping the conversation friendly and genuine. This can help build better relationships and make interactions more relaxed.
