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I (21, male) work as an auditor, and there's a guy in the client’s middle management—let’s call him Rakesh—who I work with regularly. He’s in his 50s, and I’ve always just addressed him by his first name because that’s how I address people I work with outside my company. I don't address my superiors by their first names; I always call them "sir."
One day, a colleague (who is also lower management) pulled me aside in front of Rakesh and a few others and said I shouldn’t call him just by his first name. They said I should show him more respect and use "sir" when talking to him, especially since he’s older and in a higher position. This was in front of Rakesh, so it was pretty awkward.
I don’t think I disrespected Rakesh—I never disrespect anyone—but I’m wondering if I missed something culturally or professionally. So, am I wrong for calling him by his first name, or should I have known better?
In many workplaces, especially with older or higher-ranking people, it's common to use "sir" or a more formal title as a sign of respect. Even if you didn’t mean to be disrespectful, your colleague's feedback shows this might be an important norm at your company.
To avoid future issues, it’s safest to use "sir" when addressing Rakesh, at least until you understand the company culture better. On the other hand, in some workplaces, especially more casual ones, using first names is fine regardless of rank or age.
You weren’t being disrespectful, but your colleague's correction may reflect a more traditional view. If Rakesh hasn’t minded being called by his first name, it’s probably not a big deal. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable in your work relationships.
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