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Why is it that in Chinese culture, or other Asian culture, kids, or young adults have to call people older than them ex: friend's parents, auntie or uncle?

I’m Chinese, and I never understood this D:, it’s just too weird for me to call some one else’s parents auntie or uncle.

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Answer #1

what do you mean by call, cellphones?

Answer #2

Nope, like when you greet someone, like instead of “Hi Mr Smith” it’d be “Hi Uncle”

Answer #3

yeah. its normal. i really dont know why. ahahah!

Answer #4

It’s a sign of respect. It’s really personal to call someone by their first name.

Answer #5

To be honest here in America even among our Asian American cultures this is dying, but in Japan, China, Taiwan, etc. It’s a “common courtesy”. Similar to how here we would walk into our friends house and say “Hi Bonnie!” to our friends mother without their permission. We would probably say, “Hi Mrs. Smith”. On a side note it also helps avoid confusion as in Japan (the Asian Culture I’ve studied the most) you have to be EXTREMELY close to use a persons given name. Therefore you may visit a friends home and if you are calling both people Ms. Smith it can get a bit confusing. (there are more reasons I’m sure but these are some of the major ones)

Answer #6

we do the same thing here in Trinidad as a sign of respect

Answer #7

We do the same in Afrikaans (i.e. from South Africa). It shows respect.

Answer #8

yes, to show respect, even towards the elders you hate.!

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