The 3 Letter Word "Sir"

Hi frnds,


I like to share that i come across recently abt dis article....



Peep into the offices of most of the organizations in most of the countries of the world and you will notice a similar scene- the boss sitting in his well cushioned wheel chair like a super-human in an expansive manner and the subordinate sitting in front of him across the table belittling himself as much as possible and bending low, squeezing his limbs, trying to occupy as little area on the chair as possible and addressing the boss, after every other word of his dialogue, "Sir, yes sir, very good sir, you are right sir, yes sir and yes sir and .........."

Most people are so much accustomed to this master-slave relationship that a person at the lower rungs of official hierarchy is always treated as a dumb donkey. And this feeling is further aggravated by this three letter word "sir". This word when spoken, creates, immediately, a sense of false inferiority in the subject who speaks this word and a false superiority in the addressee. As soon as this phenomenon takes place, the actual work, the intended results from the work and the real objective of the discussions between the two persons get surrounded by the ego satisfaction of the boss and the selfish motives of the subordinates.

Many bosses feel offended if they are called "Mr so and so", they always expect to be called "sir". The subordinates on the other hand develop an unnecessary guilt feeling if they do not address their bosses with a "sir". In majority of cases, it is not out of respect that a man wants to call other person with a dignified address. It is out of selfishness, fear, doubt and the bad custom. This word "sir" arouses the base feelings of the human beings.

There are three types of situations where you will find the "sir" culture:

1. The boss wants to be addressed "sir" (he wants sycophants around him).

2. The subordinates are in habit of calling their boss as "sir" for some reasons or other (though the boss is quite open-minded on this issue)

3. The boss and subordinate both are used to it.

It is surprising that not many human behavior experts have seriously identified this calling each other "sir" a major stumbling block in the development and progress of the human society in most parts of the world. In few organizations, in some parts of the world, they encourage address by the first names or surnames and in a way, it reflects that there is no master and there is no slave. But it is doubtful if a subordinate at a junior rung or for that matter even at a higher rung of the hierarchy will be accepted addressing any CEO or Chairman of an organization or a president or prime minister of a country by his first name or as "Mr so and so".

If "sir" is used as a mark of reverence, it has different connotation- no motives are attached.

It is time that every organization every where in the world tries to scrap this kind of address and promotes a healthy man to man relationship. This should start from homes, schools and colleges. The teachers and professors should take pride in being called by their names by their students. Mere usage of the word "sir" does not bring in the sense of discipline. It's time we change our values on "what is discipline".


Regards.
Vijay,Chennai

Dear Mr. Vijay

Thanks for posting this information. I would like put the factors that I consider the above mention post is nor true or false to any consideration. Take for an example, In our company we donnt have any rule to address the senior, even though we call our seniors Sir or Boss. But that to a certain extend. Sir, is mark of respect, often usage to it spoil the purpose of it. In the Punjab, what I have seen is that employees often use Hanji word in their communication purpose. But this doesnt mean the people are not concern to address the seniors.

One more thing I would like to add, the perception of Sir, depends to an indiviual to indiviual. I too have given my team members to address me by name. This is not limited to India Office, but all the Google office across the globe. I think, the similar things occurs in IBM, Microsoft and other companies.

The sir is also used in some Govt sectors offices, like if a Traffic Poilce asks me documents, then I will just make an impression to address him as Sir, even though he might be a constable or any person. In Pune airport people address their seniors as Babaji or Shaabji.

Dear Mr. Vijay,
It is very interesting to read your views on the word 'Sir' and how it is used to address people inlcuding superiors in offices.
While your efforts in penning down such an interesting description is appreciable, the third reason, which you have correctly mentioned, is more a reason than the other two. But this is not indicipline or absurd / or disturbing / indecent or odd or any such thing. What is wrong in it ? If it has become so much a practice and is respected as an usage, why should any one think of changing the usage? Is there any better term to replace 'SIR'.
As long as it doesnt hurt the sentiments / emotions / work relationships and work, there is no need to think of a change for this term.
Rgds,
Dr. Kishore

Yeah I too agree with you Dr. Kishore.
In India, most of the places, we use the word Sir for respect. In our office, I do notice, they call the superiors Sir and that is the only word which is used with respect and no other word can be replaced for it.
If you notice, whoever having more ego, will try to call by name, just to show that I am not inferior to you ! But I too do appreciate if the whole Indian culture would change to calling their colleagues by their names, preferably with Mr. or Mrs.
Regards,
Jeni

Hi Pals,
Let me do some copycat from Wiki ( Sir - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )
Sir is an honorific used as a title (see Knight) and in several other modern contexts.
It was once used (without the person's name) as a courtesy title among equals, but in common usage it is now usually reserved for one of superior rank or status, such as an educator or commanding officer, or in age (especially by a minor); as a form of address from a merchant to a customer; in formal correspondence (Dear Sir, Right Reverend Sir); or to a stranger (Sir, you've dropped your hat).

"Sir", on its own, is sometimes used by schoolchildren to address a male teacher. It is common in British tabloid newspaper slang as a shorthand for 'schoolteacher': Sir's sex shame. Usage of "sir" commonly appears in schools in portions of the Southern United States.

"what an idea sir-ji"

:-)
Mike

Hello,
The word SIR was "gifted" to Indians by the British and we still have the same old habit of using that to address elders, seniors, or even strangers. Well, I have worked in a leading Pharmaceutical company, and my CMD preferred to be called by his first name rather than SIR.
It is an accepted practice across this country to use that term, and "Mr" can be comfortably used in place of it. With the conservative elders spending most time reading newspapers or watching television programs or doing serious babysitting, this is the right time for the young generation to bring in a major change in this country! (In fact, I am also almost very close to that age bracket now!!!!!).
More comments are welcome on this topic.

Vijay has made a very valid point. Though India is supposed to be a country with a spiritual legacy, the word "Sir" goes to the heads of some people and could turn them into egoists/egotists which is against the very essence of spirituality. At a functional level, it causes a lot of bad blood unnecessarily and severe inter-personal conflict.
There should be an understanding that there is no need to address anyone as "Sir". It should then be left to the individuals concerned;nothing wrong if some people use the word out of genuine respect and some people will behave like bullies whether they are addressed as "Sir" or not.

Its absolutely okay to be called 'Sir' (males) or 'Ma'm/Madam' (for females). We are all used to it. I also think that if it is not effecting the sentiments or relationships there is no harm in addressing with SIR or MA'M. It is only the attitude which becomes the stumbling block. There are few seniors who are friendly and good teachers to their subordinates (or rather team members).
It is certainly a NO-NO for school students to call their teachers by their first names. Arre baba thora respect hone ko mangta.
Thanks

Dear All,

Thanks for so cute effort and valuable information. I appreciate the frequent atmosphere in Organization as it develop and encourage the conditions of self respect and to gain targets without hinderance. Since talking about the relations between a teacher and student; it's quite difficult to address a spiritual head / teacher with the name. If do so, I don't understand that what the respect exsist. In modern society teachers are already loosing their respect and if this term "SIR" would eliminated there will be no way to give the respect to our teachers or spiritual leaders. THe word SIR is not only a simple word but it's a sense of respect & Regard and in our society, giving regard to other has a great impact so If the teachers will not addressed with SIR then I think so it will be a great setback to education and Education is the backbone of each & every society. I'll look forward your valuable feedbacks.

Best Regards,

Syed Muhammad Alam
Executive HR
AHEC, Oman
+9685-92005401
E-mail: [Login to view]

Hello,
There is no mean to say no to this "Sir" culture...
Respect is not in the word sir it is in your speach. It's not like you can not insult a person saying SIR and the same way you can make a person feel his importance without calling him/her SIR/MADAM.
Why a school child has to call his teacher sir or madam?? there are other words as well to address them lime teacher, professor and if you consider the western culture then Mr./Miss XXXX. do you think that those white ppl don't respect their teachers and bosses??
Regards,