Growing up, I was used to being called “Sir” by everyone around me. It was something I was so used to that I didn’t even think twice about it.
Those who were in my dad’s payroll at home addressed me as ‘Sir’
My dad had hired several people who worked for our home like our chauffeur and they would always address me as “Sir”.
Even my domestic helper, who I was particularly close to, used to call me “Sir” even though I was much younger than her. I was used to being respected and having people treat me like someone important.
Went to the army and had to call people ‘Sir’, not used to it
However, when I joined the army I quickly realized that this was not going to be the case here. I was no longer “Sir”, I was just “Private”.
Everyone around me was a higher rank than me and that meant that I no longer enjoyed the same respect. I was used to people listening to me and addressing me with respect, but in the army that was not the case.
At first, I found it difficult to adjust to this new reality. I felt like I was no longer important and I was not used to being treated like a regular soldier.
I had to learn to accept orders from people who were higher ranking than me who is literally almost everyone and I had to learn to take criticism from people who were more experienced than me. It was a difficult transition, but I eventually got used to it.
The other thing that I had to adjust to was the fact that I no longer enjoyed the same level of respect. People in the army had to be addressed in a more formal manner and there were strict rules about how I should address my superiors.
I had to learn to address them as “Sir” or “Ma’am” and I had to learn to show respect to people who were my superiors.
At first, I found this difficult as I was used to being addressed as “Sir” all my life. I was used to people listening to me and treating me with respect, but in the army I was just another soldier. It took me some time to adjust to this new reality, but eventually I did.
Learnt to get used to it eventually
The army has taught me a lot of valuable lessons. It has taught me that respect is earned and it has taught me how to address people in a more formal manner.
It has also taught me that I am not always the most important person in the room and that I should show respect to those who are more experienced than me.
I may not be “Sir” in the army, but I will always be proud of the way I served my country.
Image source: Carousell, Facebook/Singapore Army