LGBT Member Praised Online for Calm Response After Being Called “Sir” by Store Crew
An LGBT member went viral and gained positive reactions online after showing patience toward a store crew who mistakenly addressed her as “Sir.”
Recently, Phia Garcia, a Facebook user, shared her experience of being called “Sir” by a crew member. Instead of getting offended or angry, she chose to be understanding and used the moment to teach him politely.
Garcia explained that she and her sister went to a snack shop called Uncle John’s one evening. Upon entering, a male crew greeted her politely with “hi po sir ano po sa inyo?”. Phia didn’t react right away and continued her order with a smile.
Throughout their short conversation, the crew continued calling her “Sir” several times, unaware of her preferred pronoun. When Phia finally told him that she was “Kuya hindi po ako sir, maam ako,” they both laughed, and the crew quickly apologized.
Phia reassured him that it was okay and that she appreciated his respectful tone despite the mistake.
Later, while talking to a friend nearby, she shared that she didn’t feel offended at all. For her, the crew’s intention was to show respect, not to insult. She said she understood that not everyone immediately knows how to address members of the LGBT community correctly, and that what matters most is how they treat others with kindness.
In a previous report, an LGBTQ member cries discrimination after restroom incident in Iloilo mall
She ended her post by encouraging everyone to be patient and teach those who may not yet understand gender identity or pronouns because, sometimes, people simply need guidance, not judgment.
Here is the full post:
“Last night me and my ate joan went to uncles john to buy some snacks., and a male crew welcome me, “hi po sir ano po sa inyo?”.
Then i dont react that he called me “sir”.
Sabi ko “kuya meron pa po kayo choco kariman?
Then he answered me, “meron pa po sir mag drop po kami 3 minutes”
Then hindi padin ako nag react sa pagtawag nya ng sir.
Then i ask him, “kuya pwede pa po ba initin tong chicken kapag bumili ate ko? Hindi na kasi mainit po.”
Then he answered me again, “opo sir pwede naman po”.
Thats the time i need to react by calling me sir several times, sabi ko. “Kuya hindi po ako sir, maam ako” sabay tumawa kami ng ate joan ko.
And sabi nya, “ay sorry po.”
Then i told him “PERO OKAY LANG KUYA, ITS A SIGN OF RESPECT PADIN NAMAN. ”. (Nakangiti ako at hindi nainis at nagalit sa kanya.
Then kinuwento namin sa kaibigan namin guard sa dunkin donut na katabi ng uncles john kasi dun kami magcocoffee, then sabi ni kuya guard “hala maam, bastos naman yun”
Sabi ko hindi naman respeto padin naman sya, hindi naman ako nakaramdam na binabastos nya ko pagtAwag ng “sir” sakin. Okay lang.
Then, nakauwi kami ni ate joan ng masaya ako. Kasi narealize ko, yung male crew sa uncle john ay hindi naman ako binabastos. Actually ang respetado pa ng pakikipag usap nya samin.
Its just really he dont know what is my real pronoun kung MAAM OR SIR.
Basta ang naramdaman ko, gusto nya lang ako irespeto.
And i know next time na may papasok na transwoman sa store nila, alam nya na ang itatawag sa mga trans.
Lets always remember, as long as HINDI NAMAN TAYO BINABASTOS, at hindi naman PANG IINSULTO. Thats okay, turuan nalang natin sila. Kasi baka tulad kagabi, si kuya na male crew. Hindi nya lang alam ang pronoun na itatawag at kailangan may magturo lang.”
The online community expressed their reactions to the post:
