Should women call older male colleagues ‘abang’ or ‘encik’? Malaysians weigh in on workplace etiquette, professional boundaries and how colleagues address one another.
THE way colleagues address one another at work often depends on factors such as age, seniority and cultural practices.
In Malaysia, it is common to use terms such as “abang” for older men and “kakak” for older women, including colleagues. These forms of address are generally more informal than titles such as “encik”, “puan” or “tuan”.
However, a recent discussion on social media has prompted Malaysians to debate whether using such familiar terms when addressing older male colleagues could blur professional boundaries.
The conversation gained traction after a woman shared a video on Threads advising women to be mindful of their tone when speaking to male colleagues, warning that an overly friendly approach could be misinterpreted.
She suggested that women could use “abang” when addressing male colleagues, but should maintain a formal and brief tone to avoid giving the wrong impression.
The woman also added that some of these colleagues might already be in relationships or married, making it important to maintain appropriate boundaries in the workplace.
Her video triggered a wider discussion about professional etiquette, particularly the role that forms of address and tone of voice play in workplace interactions.
Some users preferred formal titles such as “encik” and “puan”, while others felt that addressing colleagues as “abang” or “kakak” remained acceptable as long as it was done respectfully and professionally.
Others advocated using colleagues’ names regardless of their age, arguing that this approach could help maintain clear professional boundaries.
“Set these boundaries from the start, especially at work. I will never call anyone ‘abang’ except my own brother. ‘Encik’ is enough,” one user commented.
“Normalise calling your colleagues by their names regardless of their age. A workplace is a professional environment, not a family gathering,” another wrote.
