This is a question that has been on my mind for a long time now. Please who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" to greetings. I will be moving into a house where the landlord is staying very soon... so that is why I've come here for advice on this question. By the way with the population explosion in Nigeria, it took me 5 days of listening to "no vacancy". My leg started paining me as a result of the trekking (which has never happened before in my life). By the way I think Nigeria should adopt the 1 Child To One Family formula just like China to curb this problem. So who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" even after greeting... while striking conversations with certain kinds of people

Cos, we where colonized by the British.
That's The way a Briton greets

A British citizen, Naomi Dray-Sokeyo, shares with BAYO AKINLOYE her views about Nigeria and the things that fascinate her about the country:
https://punchng.com/i-have-learnt-to-say-a-lot-of-sir-ma-dray-sokeyo/?amp

fman:
Cos, we where colonized by the British.
That's The way a Briton greets

That's not what my father told me. My father told me that we use "sir" for our seniors (anybody that is older than you) as a form of respect. I asked him alot of questions and gave alot of examples regarding this issue, which he was not able to provide an answer that satisfied my curiosity. That is why I have come to nairaland with this question. OK, so if there is a job interview and somebody who is older than you (or your senior) is less qualified than you (he left university with 3rd class while you left with first class). Will they give him the job, simply because he is older than you? Obviously not. Thanks for the reply anyway

EndSARS77:

That's not what my father told me. My father told me that we use "sir" for our seniors (anybody that is older than you) as a form of respect. I asked him alot of questions and gave alot of examples regarding this issue, which he was not able to provide an answer that satisfied my curiosity. That is why I have come to nairaland with this question. OK, so if there is a job interview and somebody who is older than you (or your senior) is less qualified than you (he left university with 3rd class while you left with first class). Will they give him the job, simply because he is older than you? Obviously not. Thanks for the reply anyway

You just beat around the bush.
Sir,
Has nothing to do with age.
Remember , it's only a title for recognition

We use sir and ma for our elders,,, especially our parents.. simple

EndSARS77:
This is a question that has been on my mind for a long time now. Please who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" to greetings. I will be moving into a house where the landlord is staying very soon... so that is why I've come here for advice on this question. By the way with the population explosion in Nigeria, it took me 5 days of listening to "no vacancy". My leg started paining me as a result of the trekking (which has never happened before in my life). By the way I think Nigeria should adopt the 1 Child To One Family formula just like China to curb this problem. So who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" even after greeting... while striking conversations with certain kinds of people

greeting, vacancy, leg pain, population, birth rate
how many problems are you trying to tackle?

Nigerians are very RESPECTFUL

That was how we learnt to greet Europeans. Most of the colonisers were knights and Lords you have to add sir when you talk to them

If your Mother’s name is Tope Seun, you can either say good morning ma or good morning Mrs Seun.

EndSARS77:
This is a question that has been on my mind for a long time now. Please who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" to greetings. I will be moving into a house where the landlord is staying very soon... so that is why I've come here for advice on this question. By the way with the population explosion in Nigeria, it took me 5 days of listening to "no vacancy". My leg started paining me as a result of the trekking (which has never happened before in my life). By the way I think Nigeria should adopt the 1 Child To One Family formula just like China to curb this problem. So who knows why Nigerians are always forced to add "sir" or "ma" even after greeting... while striking conversations with certain kinds of people

Same reason you use "please" to begin the topic of this thread, when you don't need to.

Who are you begging?
Why do you beg?
What are you begging for?

Stop grovelling, and be the master of your space.

That's why I love Americans. Even a CEO will tell you to call him or her by their first name...

You are still growing.wait until you get to where you must call Daddy or Mummy to ppl you don't know even those with despicable characters just to be in their good books
I really detest this shi I and I can't even explain the mindset of whoever started it,really took sycophancy and asslicking to a new level.Whether it is spiritual parents or Workplace parents.
Except my biologicalparents,I don't want to call anybody Daddy or mummy please.It leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Sir or Ma is just good.worked with an Italian company for years,you address them by their names but since civil service happened,Tufiakwa!

Aargh.

superCleanworks:


greeting, vacancy, leg pain, population, birth rate
how many problems are you trying to tackle?

Wicked

Uhmmm...

It's English..

It's not necessary in igboland since we don't use it and it doesn't really apply to our custom greetings..

Easy like Uncle ogbuefi...Not uncle ogbuefi sir..

same with Aiyetoro in Kogi state,Morning it's Okun oo and evening is Ekun ooo

British Colonization.

Nothing Else.

Sir is a British honour granted by the Queen, Ma is a short for Madam

When you speak English you use British courtesy

Respect or call it African respect

It's just an act of respect to someone in a position higher than you...