'This Americanised culture': 1994 graduate man calls out fresher for not addressing him as 'sir'
A writer named Saket sparked a viral debate after criticizing a 2025 graduate for addressing him by his first name in a LinkedIn message instead of "sir." Saket, a 1994 graduate, called it "Americanized culture" and said he still addresses older alumni as "sir."
It is normal practice to contact recruiters, hiring managers, or people in chosen industries via LinkedIn messages in order to explore job prospects. Job seekers often contact alumni from their university to seek advice or assistance in obtaining opportunities. However, one such typical message from a young man did not go over well with one of his college seniors.
Writer calls out 2025 graduate for not addressing him as 'sir'
Call me old fashioned but had connected with a young fresh 2025 pass out from my college when he sent message on LinkedIn. His first message started with - Hi Saket, we are from same college¡. And he lost me there itself. Son, you are 2025 pass out and address 1994 pass out with¡
¡ª saket ????? ?????? ?? (@saket71) December 17, 2024
Saket, a writer and blogger, took to X to share his reaction to a message he received on LinkedIn. He said a young fresher messaged him and told him they both graduated from the same institute.
However, the writer claimed that he "lost" him when he addressed him by name rather than "sir".
"Call me old fashioned but had connected with a young fresh 2025 pass out from my college when he sent message on LinkedIn. His first message started with - Hi Saket, we are from same college¡. And he lost me there itself. Son, you are 2025 pass out and address 1994 pass out with first name. I still address 1993 and earlier pass out as ¡®Sir¡¯. This Americanised culture," he wrote in the post.
When questioned if using "Saket ji" would be preferable, he responded, "No. I'd still be surprised. It is about who, not what. It makes little difference if others address you by your first name in the workplace. This was not a phenomenon at my institution. It's not still. So, I was amused." The post rapidly went viral, receiving more than 1.1 million views. Some people were surprised by the writer's answer, while others thought that the young seeker should have addressed him "properly".
No. I would still be surprised. It isn¡¯t about what but who. Matters little when addressed by first name by people in work place. In my college, this wasn¡¯t a thing. It isn¡¯t still. So I was amused.
¡ª saket ????? ?????? ?? (@saket71) December 17, 2024
People on the internet defended the fresher
Many people on the internet called it 'weird', while others thought the writer was 'overreacting'. Here's how many people defended the fresher.
Dude we call 65 year olds by their first names. It's not disrespectful at all.
¡ª Abhishek (@k210184) December 17, 2024
It's just about conditioning I'd say
This is weird .. First name for everyone irrespective of their age is a culture in many organisations in India(am not saying start up or new age). Focus on the content and what he has to offer and whether you can add some value rather than archaic stuff !
¡ª vidya (@DivaSrin) December 17, 2024
Atleast sir, he addressed you by name. Many address as, "hi there"?
¡ª lmaheswa (@lmaheswa) December 17, 2024
stop overreacting
¡ª Periclys Clayire (@periclysclayire) December 17, 2024
So he should have called you Sir just to satisfy your Ego??
¡ª RP ?? (@krsnarvp108) December 17, 2024
Also read: Indian student ridiculed woman on LinkedIn for not referring him, ends up facing her in interview
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