Should i address my social worker Sir?

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Liam2019
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24 Dec 2019, 9:38 pm

i'm 14 and i had a female social worker but she left and last week i was given a male social worker. Anyway the first thing i said to him when i met him was ''Alright Sir'' and he asked me to say hello instead of Alright as he prefers hello instead of alright as a greeting but he didn't say anything about my use of Sir. Anyway for the entire meeting i addressed him as Sir and he didn't really comment on whether i should or not, only at the end he told me i was very polite which i guess means he is happy for me to call him Sir. To me calling him Sir seems the right thing to do, i address male teachers at school as Sir and he is an older male in authority and it just automatically seemed correct for me to call him Sir. My mum was with me at the meeting and when we left she asked me why i called him Sir and she said she doesn't think i really have to call him Sir but its obviously up to me if i want to call him Sir. Do you think its correct that i address him as Sir? Thoughts? i think its correct to address him as Sir but maybe it isn't?



babybird
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25 Dec 2019, 7:41 am

Ask him. He'll probably appreciate it.


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kraftiekortie
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25 Dec 2019, 7:43 am

He probably appreciates it—but it’s not necessary.

Hello is much better than Alright.



envirozentinel
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25 Dec 2019, 8:19 am

I agree with Babybird. Ask him what he prefers. He sounds a decent guy. Some informality can be good but it's great that he commented on your politeness. Sometimes, informality can go a little too far in today's world.


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babybird
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25 Dec 2019, 8:28 am

I always remember my first job as an adult and I was really formal with higher management and I just couldn't understand why no one else was.

My being formal didn't get me very far though because I was still fired in the end.

@op you're social worker will understand why you call him sir as you are still young but it might help along your relationship if you can get on a more equal level.


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envirozentinel
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25 Dec 2019, 8:36 am

^^ Sorry to hear of that experience babybird but it probably wasn't a good fit for you anyway.


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Dear_one
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25 Dec 2019, 8:44 am

The older you get, the less often you say "Sir" and the more often you hear it. Every micro-culture has their own timing. If you don't get a chance to observe it in advance, or can't define the rules, it is always a good idea to ask at the first opportunity. Otherwise, it can get awkward.