Wednesday, June 28, 2006
When Not To Say Po/Opo
My friends and those people I know might have noticed that I am really used to saying "Po" and "Opo" whenever I meet new people who are older, superior, or those I am simply unsure of their age. For me, it's a simple way of showing respect to a person.
Last Tuesday, I was introduced to the Consultant of the company where I work in . He's about the age of my father (or even older). Of course, it's already my instinct to say "Po" or "Opo" in during our conversation. He told me that I need not say Po or Opo.
I just cannot understand why an older person (and a superior) would prefer not to be addressed with po or opo. This is contrary to what our parents have taught us. Until now, they would remind us to always address old people with "po/opo" to show respect.
It's awkward to have a conversation with a relatively old person without mentioning "po or opo." I'm thinking if it's not acceptable in the corporate world. However, I look back with my previous works (where I've worked with a number of older people), no one requested me to stop saying "po or opo."
I’d only stop saying Po and Opo when I’ve lost respect to a person. Hence, as long as I respect you, you can never stop me from saying Po and Opo.
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2 comments:
Don't say them if the person is not obviously greater than you. Actually, we are all equal in the eyes of the Most Superior.
Don't say them if you're not young enough to be a child of the other person.
Don't say them if the person is not your superior.
Don't say them if the person is obviously conscious of her grooming.
Don't say them if the person is single.
Don't say them if the atmosphere is casual combined with any of the above.
Don't say them if the person doesn't want you to. You will make that person feel very old and boring or worst, near to die. You will surely be in trouble if he is your superior.
Try picturing yourself in their situation. Don't try to act like a baby when you are in a legal age, not young enough to be the person's child and most of all, you already have kids. It's the same with using Tita/Tito, Nanay and Madam.
They are RUDE! RUDE! RUDE!
About your experience. I can understand that person. He is humble. He wants to get close to you in a casual manner, be comfortable with each other, feel the vibe and feel that you are not different in terms of spirit. He is trying to say don't distance yourself from him. Don't make him feel different just because his skin is sagging, that it's just the skin that is old but not his soul. Like you he also wants to live and to be perceived as being alive - not retiring and boring. You know, time is just fast and so the aging of the skin but there are people whose spirit remains the same as yesterday. I admire those kind of people. They are COOL!
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