No Need To Call Me Sir

I had a brief conversation with a Filipina domestic helper who lives in my building.

We'd seen one another several times before and had a passing acquaintance. I held the lift door open for her when she entered the building. Seeing I hadn't punched the button for my floor, she asked, "What number, Sir?"

Domestic helpers have referred to me this way before, but I've never been comfortable with it. Were I to employ a helper, I'd go out of my way to ensure she wouldn't call me that. She may choose to address her employer that way, but outside of that relationship, why should she feel the need to call me Sir?

Many people in Hong Kong's domestic service industry are used to working in such jobs and have also been involved in the hotel and catering business or other service-oriented work, where politeness is a part of the job. I'm not against politeness, but we live in the same building; I consider her a neighbour. Her employment status shouldn't affect our interaction, and therefore it isn't necessary to give me a title.

I'd feel the same way about anyone who uses titles as part of their work. The job demands it, but outside that environment, I make no such distinctions.

I intend to inform her of that when next we meet.

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