A recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, has ignited a lively discussion about proper communication between students and teachers. The post, shared by a user named Vikrant, features a WhatsApp conversation between him and his teacher regarding attendance. The interaction has left many social media users pondering the nuances of effective communication in educational settings.
Vikrant’s Confusion
Vikrant shared a screenshot of his message, where he inquired if attendance would be marked for his group if they attended an event. The teacher’s terse reply was, “Is this how you talk to teachers?” Vikrant, baffled by the response, posted: “Someone please explain what I did wrong here lmaooo.” His post has garnered over 670,000 views and nearly 11,000 likes, sparking various reactions from viewers.
Diverse Reactions
The post has prompted a wide range of comments. One user reshared the post, commenting, “Indian profs and bosses have a worse superiority complex than colonial lords.”
Responses from the Community
A humorous take from another user was, “Obviously, you should say respected dear esteemed prof Dr xyz ofc.”
Marzi, another commenter, asked about the aftermath, to which Vikrant replied that he went to the teacher’s office, apologized, and received an apology in return. Marzi questioned, “What even did she misunderstand? Your tone is so polite.” Vikrant clarified, “It was because I didn’t say ma’am or respected ma’am or dear ma’am LMAO.”
Another suggestion emphasized, “The tone of the message might be misinterpreted. In a foreign context, yes, it’s formal and polite. In India, big no. I got a huge scolding when I sent messages just like you in my college days. Always use apologetic tones like ‘Could you,’ ‘Please,’ ‘Requesting,’ etc.”
The debate highlights the cultural differences and expectations in student-teacher communication, particularly in the Indian context.