There is a big cultural aspects too. This was in India. Questioning seniors in group meetings is usually a big no no that I wasn't aware of.

Well, I was aware, but I thought that an international big corp would not have that problem. Was I wrong.

I am very vigilant of whether I am sucking up to anyone.

So in one of my first grad school conferences I see this stalwart professor making his way through different poster presentations. I don't think he encourages it, but people fawn upon him in subtle and not so subtle ways to gain recognition.

As I saw him approach, I told myself that I will not send any signals that could plausible be mistaken for obsequiousness.

Turns out he was not the professor I thought he was and with a hindsight of few decades, I was just rude to him.

Not overly but not nice.

Could you elaborate. Under which circumstances does one learn these things. Family, surely not. I hope so.