You’ve probably experienced this.
My team usually calls me “Sir” or “Sir John”.
I am very rarely called just “John” by my OFS team. Some do, but not most.
So, when I got this email from Jim, I was intrigued.
Hi John,
I’ve been wanting to ask this question of you for a while now. As you know, I have been a member of your site for a long time, almost from the beginning. I hire off your site all the time.
When I first started interacting with Filipinos, they would always call me “Sir.” Without exception, they always called me that. I remember you even telling me to expect that and don’t try to tell them not to do it. It was just part of their culture and roll with it.
In the last couple of years, though, I’ve noticed a shift: More and more of them will call me by my first name, even on initial contact. I would put it at 50% or better. Now, of course , I’m perfectly fine with it. It is all part of Western Culture to call each other by our first names. I just thought it was interesting. Is there kind of a new culture shift in the Philippines on this? I figured if anyone would know this, it would be you.
Jim
So, I showed my team this email, and Julia responded.
Yeah, we have noticed this, especially among younger workers and those who have worked in the BPO industry.
The formal “Sir” and “Ma’am” are still used in schools and corporate settings, but there is a cultural shift, with more Filipino workers being exposed to Western work culture.
Many call centers in the Philippines have avoided using “Sir” and “Ma’am” to make their workplaces more relaxed. Managers are encouraged to let their subordinates use their first names or alternative titles like “PM” for project manager or “AD” for assistant director.
Younger workers are more exposed to Western culture through online media and see that using “Sir” and “Ma’am” isn’t the practice for the rest of the world. So when they’re hired, it is easier for them to shake off the habit because they expect it.
The exposure to western culture is more now than it has ever been.
When I started in 2005 there was little exposure to western culture and hiring OFS was still amazing.
Today, the exposure is everywhere, and the experience of hiring someone is fantastic.
John
www.OnlineJobs.ph