Student’s WhatsApp Message For Attendance Angers Professor: ‘Is This How You Address Teachers?’

A group of students sought attendance for missing a Computer Networks class to attend an event, with one student, Vikrant, messaging the professor on their behalf. The professor’s curt response left Vikrant puzzled, prompting him to seek advice on social media.

The message Vikrant sent read, “I’m a student in AIML. We currently have a Computer Networks class for our section but I am participating in an event which is happening today, and I have a presentation for the same as well. Therefore, some of the other students and I wanted to confirm whether we will be getting attendance for this event.” He concluded with a “Thank you.”

The professor responded with, “Is this how you talk to teachers?”

The post on X included Vikrant asking, “Someone please explain what I did wrong here,” alongside the screenshot of the exchange.

In the comments, various users suggested improvements. One noted, “You could have added a ‘dear’.” Another inquired, “Was this offensive because you WhatsApped instead of email?” A third, identifying as a professor, commented, “I am an actual professor and I approve this message.” Others suggested including formalities like “Respected sir” and “Yours faithfully, XYZ.”

Vikrant later shared, “Went to her office and apologized; she said it was a misunderstanding and apologized to me as well.”