How Should Children Address Adults?

[Desdinova]

This is something that's been floating around in my mind lately. How do you think children should address people such as their parents' friends?

My woman has a friend who's kid addresses me as "uncle" and I fvcking hate it. I'm not her goddam uncle, nor do I want to be. Addressing non-relatives as uncle or auntie just seems wrong to me.

I'm almost leaning toward the old-fashioned way of addressing people by their title and surname, like Mr. or Mrs. Johnson. Or if the last name is too long or hard to pronounce, Mr. or Mrs. J. At least that's what we always did with school teachers. I've heard some of my older relatives still address people by their title or surname, and it makes them sound like intelligen and respectful adults.

What do you think?

 

[Mr. Wolf]

I've addresses people as uncle or aunt when I was young. Uncle is fine. Like Uncle Desdinova... I bet that makes you feel like you getting old.. Suddenly the real world enters your world. I'd be pissed off too.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I'm old school. Unless it's family, Mr. and Ms. is a safe and respectable way to go.

 

[Aboleo]

I've been an uncle since I was 12 years old. Don't mind being called that one bit... and kids sometimes do call me their 'uncle'. I'm flattered by it, really.

 

[Obsidian]

yeah, i think it would be fine if people called me uncle, altho no one ever has

in general, I'd go with the Mr. Surname method

 

[Latinoman]

I'm old school. Unless it's family, Mr. and Ms. is a safe and respectable way to go.

I agree.

 

[Dongfu]

My woman has a friend who's kid addresses me as "uncle" and I fvcking hate it. I'm not her goddam uncle, nor do I want to be. Addressing non-relatives as uncle or auntie just seems wrong to me.

I grew up in Hawaii where there is a strong asian influence. Everyone is an uncle and Aunty here. I love when a kid comes up to me who I have never met and say's "hey uncle, can you help me tie my shoe?" or whatever they say. It really creates the feeling of family and connectedness. This is what Aloha is all about. Aloha has three meanings, hello, good bye, I love you. This is how we address each other here, which is why Hawaii is such a cool place. This is why people from all of the weird disconnected city's in America want to come here. To feel what it is like to be in a place where even strangers treat you like family.

I'm sorry if you have never lived in a place where this is the case, and would rather be addressed as sir. Come on guys, relax a little and have some heart. That's what I think.