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"Sir" is a common way of addressing someone "above you" in India. In general folks in India have a policy of "respecting elders" and "those above you" (teacher
by Manishearth 11y ago
"Sir" is a common way of addressing someone "above you" in India.
In general folks in India have a policy of "respecting elders" and "those above you" (teachers, your boss, etc), but this is mostly faux respect in the form of honorifics and not arguing with statements by these people. I don't like this too much (grew up in the States, people earn respect there), but sometimes I do it too in some contexts because it's a social norm.
I don't think this has anything to do with British oppression. Sir is just an honorific applied willy-nilly by Indians both online and offline.
- cardiffspaceman 11y agoIt is willy-nilly IMHO. Over the phone an Indian (or is the custom also common in other countries too?) spoke to me, a peer and I might add a Yankee, with a "sa" at the beginning of half his sentences. During the call I parsed this as "um" or "yep" would be parsed, and after the call I thought maybe it was a "sir" in a non-rhotic accent.