Reddit Post on Addressing Seniors as 'Sir' Goes Viral, Ignites Workplace Debate
A Reddit post describing a young professional's awkward first day at work has captured widespread attention online. The post has reignited conversations about hierarchy, authority, and workplace culture in Indian offices. Shared by a media professional, the story recounts how a simple correction left a lasting impact on their understanding of corporate norms.
The Uncomfortable First-Day Correction
According to the user, it was their first day at their first job. During training, the team lead asked them to introduce themselves to the boss, identified as Vijay. When the employee casually inquired about "Vijay's cabin," the response was immediate and firm. "Call him Vijay sir," they were told.
This correction caught the employee completely off guard. They had assumed modern corporate environments encouraged addressing seniors, including top leadership, by their first names. This practice is common in many global workplaces and start-up cultures.
The user clarified that the boss was over 50 years old with more than two decades of work experience. However, they added that age or tenure should not automatically dictate how respect is shown. "I think this is irrelevant," they noted in the post.
A Deeply Ingrained Practice
More than two years later, the employee says the practice remains deeply ingrained. "I see many people addressing seniors and bosses as sir and ma'am," the post reads. This observation suggests the expectation was not an exception but the norm in their workplace.
The post ends with a question that resonated with thousands of users online. How do you address your seniors and bosses at work? This simple query has sparked a massive and divided response from the Reddit community.
Divided Opinions on Workplace Etiquette
The responses to the viral post have been sharply divided. Some users defended the use of "sir" and "ma'am" as a sign of respect embedded in Indian culture. They view these titles as a traditional way to show deference to elders and superiors.
Others argued that enforced titles reinforce outdated power hierarchies. They believe such practices discourage open communication, especially for younger employees entering the workforce. This group advocates for a more casual and egalitarian approach.
Personal Experiences Shared by Users
One user shared a contrasting experience from their first day. "My first day: 'Hi sir! I am--' 'Call me John. No need to say sir. We don't do that here, hahaha.' (John is older than my father. John heads an entire continent.)"
Another user wrote about their interactions with foreign clients. "I work with foreign clients all the time. All of them want me to call them by their name. I don't even have to think before calling them by their name. But once I was assigned a US company whose boss was in the US while the team and lower leadership was in India. I called someone by their name and they made a ruckus about it."
A third user offered a cultural perspective. "I think it's their culture. As much as I have understood from series, movies, and a few of my foreign friends, you call 'sir' to a person you don't know. For familiarity and a little liberation in your relationship, you use names. Like you call your friends by name. But in Indian culture, anyone elder to you, even if they are two to three years older, demands respect and hence should be called 'sir.'"
The debate continues to highlight the tension between traditional Indian workplace norms and evolving global practices. It raises important questions about respect, communication, and cultural identity in professional settings.
